Validation of New Mass Spectrometric Blood Folate Assay

We will develop methods to accurately measure molar amounts of total folates and individual folatefrom blood or tissues by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) using stable isotope labeled fostandards, which completely corrects for recovery. During Phase I, the intrinsic properties of a nebased assay for total folates will be tested by (a) assessing the feasibility of assaying large numbcomparing the reproducibility and precision of the new assay to a standard folate assay and (c) estaconditions for sample storage and transport. The total blood folate level from 50 individuals will binto 5 pools for precision studies. Within-run and between-run variability of the new method will bemethod. Optimal conditions of storage will be established. The project uses GC/MS technology and thebecome the "gold standard" in measurement of folates.