How to Melt Niacin

Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3, is a crucial nutrient that helps the body create "good" HDL cholesterol. Niacin's melting point is 458 degrees Farenheit, making the vitamin difficult to melt. If you need a liquid solution of niacin, it may be easiest to dissolve niacin in water.

Things You'll Need

• Niacin
• Bowl
• Water
• Razor blade
• Soybean oil
• Heat-resistant container
• Bunsen burner or other high-temperature heat source
• Tongs
• Goggles

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Instructions

Melting Niacin in an Oil Bath

• 1

  Wear safety goggles.

• 2

  Pour soybean oil into a heat-resistant container. If the heat source is a Bunsen burner, the container should be heat-resistant borosilicate.

• 3

  Place the container over a heat source. Use tongs to hold the container to avoid burning.

• 4

  Heat the sample until the oil reaches 237 degrees Celcius, niacin's melting point.

Dissolving Niacin

• 5

  Remove any outside film that may be covering niacin tablets.

• 6

  Chop the niacin into little pieces.

• 7

  Place in warm but not hot water, and stir. The solubility of niacin is 18 grams per liter at standard temperature and pressure.