Humans must obtain vitamin B9 (folate) from plant-based diet. The sources as well as the effect of food processing are discussed in detail. Industrial production, fortification and biofortification, kinetics, and physiological role in humans are described. As folate deficiency leads to several pathological states, current opinions toward prevention through fortification are discussed. Claimed risks of increased folate intake are mentioned as well as analytical ways for measurement of folate.

Department of Analytical Chemistry Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Charles University Akademika Heyrovského 1203 500 03 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics University Hospital Hradec Králové Sokolská 581 500 05 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Charles University Akademika Heyrovského 1203 500 03 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty of Pharmacy Comenius University Bratislava Odbojárov 10 83232 Bratislava Slovak Republic

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Charles University Akademika Heyrovského 1203 500 03 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

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