Vitamin shelf life (split from Code of Ethics)

[npaull]

I will get new vitamins every six months. I will get new vitamins every six months. I will get new vitamins every six months. I will get new vitamins every six months. I will get new vitamins every six months. I will get new vitamins every six months. I will get new vitamins every six months!

7. To whatever extent possible and wherever appropriate, I will try and base my husbandry practices on scientific evidence...

I've heard the quoted mantra many times. The number basically appears pulled out of a hat. The chemicals lose potency over time (degradation dictated by some half-life equation or another) but, as far as I know, absolutely do not become dangerous. Where do we get 6 months?

[Ed]

If I remember correctly the number is based on some work by Dr. Donoghue (author of the Nutrition chapter In Mader's Reptile Medicine and Surgery). I would have to look for the actual reference to the time line (this may have been via a communication) but I believe is based on the original recommended time line (later on it was recommended to replace every three months or so) for discarding and replacing the supplements produced by Walkabout Farms as analysis showed that after that point, the exposure to moisture and heat would have started to degrade the product.


Ed

[npaull]

Thanks Ed. I'm glad that number didn't just come from the air.

Many people are under the impression that the vitamins become toxic if left for too long; which I think is a total fallacy.

[Ed]

Well they don't become toxic. As the vitamins catalyze the oxidations of each other the ratios go out of balance and there maybe insufficient amounts of the vitamins to support the metabolic processes.


I was probably the person who started the six months based on the information from either Dr. Donoghue directly or what was on the products we recieved from her.


Ed

[elmoisfive]

Nate, Ed,

I split this out from the code of ethics because it's probably a topic in its own right.

Bill

[kyle1745]

I am wondering if the higher humidity in some of our frog rooms reduce it even more. I try to change mine out every 3 months or so.

[Ed]

Yes, the humidity does shorten its shelflife as does light and heat. (see Reptile Medicine and Surgery).

Ed

[gm_kevin]

just curious, based on the info you were using, is 6 months an average or a maximum? i.e., could it be extended if stored in ideal conditions, or is that the best you can get out of it?

[Ed]

The shelf life can be extended by storage under ideal conditions such as refrigeration. (Mader's book again for the reference).

Ed

[Dendrobait]

how long is safe in the fridge? Or is it still reccomended to replace every six months.