Overview: Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin. It is present in almost all living cells and can be synthesized enzymatically within the cells of prokaryotes, fungi, molds, and plants. Organisms can also transport vitamin B5 into cells via a Na?-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT, also known as pantothenic acid permease). This kit uses a microbiological method to detect the total amount of pantothenic acid (both added and naturally occurring) in infant formula. After incubation at 37°C in the dark for 20–22 hours, the turbidity of the samples is measured at 620–630 nm using a microplate reader. By comparing the sample turbidity with a standard curve, the pantothenic acid content in the sample can be quantified.

Principle: Pantothenic acid is an essential nutrient for the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum. The culture medium and processed sample extract are added to microplate wells coated with the bacterial strain. After a period of incubation, the transmittance (or absorbance value) is measured. Within a certain detection range, the pantothenic acid content in the sample can be calculated based on a standard curve correlating pantothenic acid concentration with transmittance (or absorbance value).