Vitamin B2 Physical Characteristics and Product Details

What is Vitamin B2?

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, plays an important part in cell function and energy metabolism. I’ve seen it appear in a range of products from supplements to fortified foods and animal feed. The vibrant yellow–orange color pops in powder and crystalline form, standing out in a chemical cabinet or alongside other vitamin powders.

Products and Applications

You’ll find Vitamin B2 as a raw material not just in pharmaceuticals but also in nutritional products, food colorants, and even animal nutrition formulations. Pharmaceutical companies select this vitamin because its water-soluble properties make it easy to work into oral tablets and capsules. In the food processing world, manufacturers often pick it as a fortificant for cereals, baking flours, and beverages due to its stability and safety profile. Anyone who has ever handled a B-complex supplement tablet has probably noticed the unmistakable yellow shade, which comes almost entirely from riboflavin.

Properties and Structure

The molecular formula for Vitamin B2 is C17H20N4O6. Its molecular weight stands at 376.37 g/mol. This compound forms either as a crystalline solid or as a fine, yellow powder with a slight gloss when kept in flakes or pearls. The structure features an isoalloxazine ring attached to a ribitol side chain, giving it both stability and characteristic properties. Density clocks in around 1.5–1.7 g/cm³, making it somewhat heavier than table salt. For those who have worked with raw powders or crystals, Vitamin B2 tends to clump but can still be measured accurately using standard laboratory tools.

Specification and HS Code

Standard commercial grades provide assay values above 98%, ensuring purity for use in both food and pharmaceutical applications. Water content usually stays below 1.5%. Most global shipments move under HS Code 293623, which covers vitamin B2 pure substances and derivatives. This classification ensures standardization for customs and regulatory requirements, an aspect that many smaller manufacturers often overlook until they face cross-border documentation.

Physical Forms: Powder, Flakes, Pearls, Crystals, and Solutions

Manufacturers offer Vitamin B2 in several forms. The powder is bright yellow, finely milled, and tends to stain anything it touches. Flakes and pearls show a similar color, but offer an advantage in reduced dustiness and easier mixing during processing. Crystalline forms display that familiar yellow tone. When dissolved in water, the solution reveals strong fluorescence under ultraviolet light—a trick that often comes up in lab demonstrations. Some companies sell stabilized riboflavin liquids, though the solid form lasts longest in storage and tolerates a wider range of temperatures.

Safety and Handling

Handling riboflavin in bulk, I’ve always appreciated its minimal toxicity and lack of hazardous fumes. No one wants respiratory irritation or strict handling protocols in the vitamin production line. Still, working with such a vibrantly colored powder means frequent glove changes and quick cleanup after spills. Inhalation of dust can irritate mucous membranes, so in a well-run facility, local exhaust or dust masks keep staff protected. The compound itself breaks down under strong light and in alkaline solutions, so I’ve always stashed ingredients in amber bottles or steel drums protected from both.

Chemical Behavior and Stability

Vitamin B2 stands up fairly well under normal storage conditions. Heat and light cause it to break down, which presents a challenge both for shelf life and food storage. Products containing the vitamin need packaging that blocks light, as anyone who has witnessed supplement tablets fading after months in a sunlit store cabinet has noticed. It dissolves sparingly in cold water but readily in alkaline solutions. I’ve found its stability in acidic foods—from yogurt to soft drinks—helps finished products hold their nutrition label claims.

Materials and Raw Sources

Raw material production often starts with microbial fermentation, leveraging carefully selected strains of yeast or bacteria. The industry’s move toward bio-based manufacturing brings a degree of reassurance to customers concerned about synthetic additives. Some producers still rely on chemical synthesis, but fermentation remains the standard for high purity and consistency. I’ve noticed that reliable sourcing of these raw materials impacts downstream quality, and firms keeping a close eye on input supply rarely face recalls or batch failures.

Health, Safety, and Compliance Considerations

Regulatory agencies across the globe hold riboflavin to strict standards, testing for heavy metals, solvents, and microbial contaminants. Getting the specifications right is as much about consumer trust as it is about audits and import checks. Adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices, plus full specification sheets, ensures fewer hurdles down the supply chain. For those of us in the industry, clear labeling and batch traceability aren’t just buzzwords—they keep brand reputation strong and open new market opportunities.

Potential Hazards and Solutions

The main hazards relate to dust inhalation, eye contact, and light-induced breakdown, not acute toxicity or system-wide effects. Addressing these issues calls for practical workplace solutions: dust extraction systems, proper storage containers, training for staff who manage bulk powders. Regular checks for water activity, purity, and stability numbers help catch potential problems before they make it to retail shelves. I’ve seen plants that prioritize staff training on handling powders report fewer spills and lower product loss, a simple fix that pays off quickly.

Conclusion

Hands-on experience has shown that physical properties—from crystal form to density—shape everything from storage needs to the choice of mixing equipment. The details count, whether blending formulas in a pharmaceutical lab or packaging ready-to-use flakes for bakeries worldwide. HS Codes and technical documentation make trade smoother, but it’s the combination of on-the-ground knowledge, safety practices, and sourcing discipline that delivers real consumer value.