Folic Acid in Human Life

Folic acid (vitamin B9) is a member of water soluble group of vitamins and is essential for a number of critical metabolic pathways in the synthesis of amino acid and nucleic acids. It was first isolated in pure form from spinach leaves in 1941 and hence named as folate, (in Latin folium = leaf) and synthetic preparation was first successfully carried out in 1945. The need for folate greatly occurs during pregnancy. This critical vitamin is essential for the integrity and function of DNA. By the third trimester of pregnancy, its requirement has almost doubled. Folates are abundant in liver, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and beer. Potatoes and bread contain moderate amount.