SITSTTHETIC VITAMINS — MAJOR 



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with other vitamins and sometimes alone. It is available in medi- 

 cinal foods and is added to all the enriched flour previously men- 

 tioned, in connection with vitamin Bi. Each pound of enriched 

 flour must contain not less than 6 mg. of niacin. 



The trend of the price of nicotinic acid since 1937 is shown in 

 figure 3. The price of nicotinic acid in bulk has dropped from $35 

 per pound in 1937 to $6.50 per pound in February 1942. The de- 

 crease in price has not been so marked as in the case of some of the 

 other vitamins, since nicotinic acid is an old, well-known compound. 

 It is interesting, however, that increasing volume of production along 

 with chemical and engineering studies has made it possible to de- 

 crease the price to the figure indicated, especially in times of gen- 

 erally rising prices. 



3 



1938 1939 1940 



FiQUEE 4. — Riboflavin. 



1941 1942 



Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is used in the treatment of certain fissures 

 of the lips and keratitis, a certain type of inflammation of the eyes, 

 and also in the poultry industry to stimulate egg production. It is 

 available in pharmaceutical preparations and in medicinal foods. 

 Begimiing July 1, 1942, it will be required in enriched flour if suf- 

 ficient riboflavin is available then to enrich the enormous quantity 

 of flour needed in this country. This requirement may have to be 

 deferred for a few months because of a shortage of riboflavin owing 

 to the difficulties that have been encountered in obtaining equipment 

 necessary for its manufacture in sufficient quantity. For the enrich- 

 ment of flour 1.2 mg. of riboflavin are required per pound of flour. 

 The interest in riboflavin has also grown rapidly. In figure 4 is 



