Background/aim: Zeolites are the hydratised alumosilicates of alcali and earthalcali cations, which have a long three-dimensional crystal structure. Preparations on the basis of zeolites are used for adsorption of organic and nonorganic toxic substances and they, also, find more and more use in veterinary and human medicine and pharmacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibilities of zeolite to adsorb vitamins B1, B2 and B6 in acid and neutral solutions, as well as the characteristics of the process (saturability, reversibility and competitiveness).
Methods: The specific and sensitive HPLC method with fluorescent detector was used for determination of vitamins B1, B2 and B6. Analyte separation and detection were carried out by applying the reverse-phase method on column C18. An in vitro experiment was done by testing the influence of pH value (2 and 7), concentration of vitamin solution (1, 2 and 5 mg/L), the length of contact with zeolite (10-180 min) and cation competitiveness on the exchange capacity, which is achieved by media and zeolite contact, as well as a possible vitamins desorption through changing pH value of the solution at 37 degrees C. Jon competitiveness was examined by adding commercial feed mixture (grower) with a defined content of the examined vitamins in zeolite solutions the pH = 2 and pH = 7.
Results: Vitamins B1, B2 and B6 were stable in both pH=2 and pH = 7 solutions at 37 degrees C, in the defined time intervals. In acid solution concentrations of vitamins significantly declined in the first 10 min, with no significant decline in further 30 min for all the three concentrations tests. In neutral solution, after the addition of 1% zeolite, decrease in vitamins concentrations was slightly lower than in acid solution, but also significant in the first 10 min of the contact with zeolite. It was found that zeolite, which adsorbed vitamins in acid solution, transferred in the neutral one released a significant quantity of adsorbed vitamins after 30 min of extraction on 37 degrees C. Vitamins B1, B2 and B6, from a commercial feed mixture in pH = 2 solution, at 37 degrees C, were significantly adsorbed on zeolite after 30 min of the contact (21.87%, 20.15% and 4.53%, respectively), while in neutral solution there was no statistically significant adsorption. Conclusion. Zeolite significantly adsorbs vitamins B1, B2 and B6 in acid and neutral solutions at 37 degrees C, already in the first 10 min of the contact. Adsorption was irreversible, but partly reversible after changing pH from acid to neutral. This is a significant ions competition for adsorption on zeolite in neutral solution, so no statistically significant vitamins B1, B2 and B6 adsorption occurs, while in acid solution competition is less, thus zeolite significantly adsorbs these vitamins, although in less degree than in conditions with no concurrent ions.