Folate and its role in human biochemical functioning was first identified by researcher Lucy Wills in 1931. She found that the nutrient was needed to prevent anemia during pregnancy.
In1943, a scientist Dr.Mitchell from USA extracted around 1mg active folate from four tons of spinach successfully in 1943. However, the chemical property is too active to be stored. “How to make the active folate be stable?” has been a global difficulty since then.
In 1945, Folic acid was developed. It was a great invention at that time because it's stable enough. But it's not the best choice with more and more side effects are reported nowdays.
In 1965, Merck developed 5-methyltetrahydrofolate calcium racemate (CAS.134-35-0). Racemate is mixed both levorotatory-5-MTHF(what we really need) and Dextral-5-MTHF. D-5-MTHF is not workable.
In 1994, Merck developed a Pure levorotatory-5-methyltetrahydrofolate calcium Amorphous type (CAS.151533-22-1).
In 1999, Merck developed I crystalline Metafolin® CAS.151533-22-1, the preparation of the Calcium salt and the crystal type solved the stability problem completely.
In 2002, Jinkang pharma developed a novel C crystalline Calcium L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, called “Magnafolate®” successfully, CAS.151533-22-1. It's a totally new crystal type independent from Merck's Metafolin®. More uniform and narrow particle size distribution and higher bioavability.
In 2021, Jinkang finished the study between Folic acid and Magnafolate® PRO in birth defect, which will discose soon.