Simple rapid determination of thiamin by a HPLC method in foods, body fluids, urine and faeces.

A direct assay for the determination of thiamin in food, faeces, whole blood, serum and urine samples is described. After enzymatic digestion of the thiamin derivates to free thiamin, the whole thiamin content of the sample is detected by converting the thiamin to fluorescent thiochrome. After the extraction of thiochrome with butanol-2, separation by an automated HPLC technique is performed. Reference values in serum, blood, urine, faeces and for food samples are reported.