MICROBIOLOGICAL ASSAY FOR THIAMIN USING LACTOBACILLUS VIRIDESCENS

Abstract
This method is convenient, rapid, relatively specific, and less subject to interfering substances as compared to previously described methods for determination of this vitamin. Cocarboxylase has about 60% of the activity of equimolar quantities of thiamine. The pyrimidine and thiazole moieties of thiamine are not utilized, either individually or together, and the results are not affected by reasonable levels of pentoses, fructose, maltose, calcium, thioglycollate, or acetate.