Product Detailed Description

Liposomal vitamin A Retinyl Acetate 2 Million IU — High Bioavailability Vitamin A Supplement

Product Overview

liposomal Vitamin A Retinyl Acetate 2 Million IU is a premium-grade dietary supplement ingredient delivering retinyl acetate in an advanced liposomal delivery system. Retinyl acetate (CAS 127-47-9), also known as vitamin A acetate or all-trans-retinyl acetate, is the acetate ester of retinol (vitamin A). It is chemically characterized by the molecular formula C₂₂H₃₂O₂ and a molecular weight of 328.49 g/mol. The compound occurs as a pale yellow crystalline powder or supercooled liquid with a melting point of 57–58°C, and is practically insoluble in water but soluble in ethanol, chloroform, and oils.

Vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble micronutrient required for vision, immune function, reproduction, and cellular differentiation. Retinyl acetate is the most stable ester form of preformed vitamin A, used extensively in dietary supplements, food fortification, and pharmaceutical formulations. It is one of the most widely used forms of vitamin A in food fortification and is preferred for its stability compared to retinol.

Why Liposomal Technology?

Retinyl acetate presents significant formulation challenges. The compound is highly susceptible to oxidation, isomerization, and light-induced degradation. Its stability is significantly affected by temperature, oxygen, and light exposure. While retinyl acetate is more stable than retinol, it still degrades over time, particularly under adverse storage conditions.

Liposomal encapsulation provides four critical advantages:

1. Enhanced Stability — Liposomal encapsulation protects retinoids from aggressive conditions in the stomach and enzymatic degradation. liposome-encapsulated vitamin A compounds exhibit greater stability and diminished toxicity compared to free forms. A study on retinol liposomes demonstrated that liposomes were stable in buffer and serum during 24 hours, and encapsulation prevented retinoic acid from being metabolized over time, maintaining its plasmatic concentration.

2. Enhanced Bioavailability — Liposomes remain stable in the stomach and are absorbed intact in the small intestine via M cells, primarily in the duodenum, through endocytosis or membrane fusion. Vitamin A liposomes had diameters around 100 nm, with encapsulation efficiencies greater than 70% and a controlled release profile (27% release within 8 hours). Retinyl acetate displays a controlled release profile when encapsulated in liposomes.

3. Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy — Liposomal encapsulation significantly enhances the therapeutic efficacy of retinoids. Antiproliferative effects were 65-fold and 51-fold greater for retinoic acid and retinol liposomes, respectively, than for free components. Clinical trials in leukemia patients demonstrated that retinoic acid liposomes could significantly lead to remission when leukemia was diagnosed early.

4. Synergistic Stabilization with Vitamin E — The addition of vitamin E (α-tocopherol) to liposomes further enhances retinoid stability. α-Tocopherol markedly improves the resistance of retinoids to oxidation by hydrogen peroxide, and vitamin E acetate stabilizes vitamin A in liposomal formulations.

Product Specifications

Key Features

• High Purity — Standardized to ≥2,000,000 IU/g of vitamin A acetate activity, with ≥2,800,000 IU/g available for higher-concentration applications.

• Liposomal Enhancement — Phospholipid bilayer encapsulation achieves encapsulation efficiency greater than 70%, with liposome diameters around 100 nm and controlled release (27% in 8 hours).

• Superior Stability — Liposome-encapsulated vitamin A compounds exhibit greater stability and diminished toxicity compared to free forms. Liposomes were stable in buffer and serum during 24 hours.

• USP/EP Compliance — The product complies with the current "Vitamin A concentrate (powder form), synthetic" Ph.Eur. and "Vitamin A" USP monographs.

• Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy — Antiproliferative effects were 65-fold and 51-fold greater for retinoic acid and retinol liposomes, respectively, than for free components.

• Synergistic Vitamin E Stabilization — Vitamin E acetate stabilizes vitamin A in liposomal formulations, and vitamin E is used to regulate vitamin A for optimal function.

• Water-Dispersible — Liposomal powder offers excellent dispersibility in aqueous systems compared to standard crystalline retinyl acetate.

• Batch Traceability — Complete COA, HPLC chromatogram, and identity data provided for each batch.

Application & Formulation Guidance

Recommended Dosage

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin A is 900 μg RAE/day (3,000 IU) for adult males and 700 μg RAE/day (2,330 IU) for adult females. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for preformed vitamin A is 3,000 μg RAE/day (10,000 IU) for adults. In Canada, oral dosage forms providing not greater than 10,000 IU/day of vitamin A activity are permitted as Natural Health Products, and above 10,000 IU/day, vitamin A is classified as a prescription drug. For food fortification of cereal-based weaning foods, vitamin A acetate is added at 360 μg/100 g of product. Liposomal formulations allow effective absorption at lower doses, potentially reducing the required intake. Higher oral doses of vitamin A as retinyl acetate (>10,000 IU daily long-term) are teratogenic and should be avoided during pregnancy.