The
biotin (
vitamin H) contents of various foodstuffs were determined by using a newly developed high-performance affinity chromatography with a
trypsin-treated
avidin-bound column.
Biotin was derivatized with
9-anthryldiazomethane (ADAM) to fluorescent
biotin-ADAM
ester. A wide range of
biotin contents were found in various foodstuffs depending upon the species (strain), season, organ (of plants and animals), geography, freshness, preparation method and storage method. Among the foodstuffs and fermented foods tested, it was found that wide distributions of
biotin content were observed in powdered milk, natto, sake (rice wine), beer, edible oil and sea weed. Since powdered milk is important for child health and development, 14 kinds of powdered and special milks for use in children's diseases were intensively measured. We found that several special milk powders for children with
allergies contained low levels of free
biotin. Use of these powdered milks caused
skin diseases and
alopecia in some patients possessing thermolabile serum
biotinidase, and administration of free
biotin improved their symptoms dramatically. Therefore, it is essential to estimate the total and free
biotin contents on each foodstuff in order to improve effective
biotin intake and support better health and quality of life for people.