Folic acid is the synthetic, oxidised form of vitamin B9 used in supplements and fortified foods; in the body it is reduced to tetrahydrofolate, the active cofactor that carries one-carbon units for the synthesis of purines and thymidylate and for methionine regeneration through homocysteine remethylation. Because o…
Folic acid is the synthetic, oxidised form of vitamin B9 used in supplements and fortified foods; in the body it is reduced to tetrahydrofolate, the active cofactor that carries one-carbon units for the synthesis of purines and thymidylate and for methionine regeneration through homocysteine remethylation. Because of these roles, adequate folate status is essential for DNA synthesis and repair and for rapid cell division, and deficiency is associated with megaloblastic anaemia and, in early pregnancy, with neural tube defects, which is why periconceptional supplementation is widely recommended. As a pharmaceutical and nutritional agent, folic acid is also studied for its physicochemical and thermal characteristics relevant to formulation. Research in this area addresses maternal and preconception nutrition and awareness, anaemia risk in pregnancy, the consequences of B-vitamin deficiency in children, and the broader interplay between micronutrients, epigenetic regulation, and chronic-disease risk, alongside the characterisation of folic acid as a formulated compound. Related themes include functional foods, personalised nutrition, and nutrient status across the life course. The vitamin matters because its biochemical functions underpin growth, haematopoiesis, and the prevention of developmental defects, and because intake can be modified through diet, fortification, and supplementation. The journal publishes peer-reviewed research on the biochemistry, nutritional role, and pharmaceutical properties of folic acid and related micronutrients.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 144 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Folic Acid, linking to each citing work.