Abstract

A new approach to the estimation of folate activity is described. The system may be used as a semi-automated method or as a fully automated method using the AutoAnalyzer or Mecolab equipment. The methods use a chloramphenicol-resistant strain of L. casei as the test organism, and this eliminates the need for sterilization or aseptic addition. The systems are able to handle extremely large numbers of samples in a relatively short time. Results are similar to those obtained by standard techniques.