WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS

Vitamin B
DESCRIPTION
B
1

aka Thiamin / Thiamine

aka aneurine
(antineuritic factor)
In 1926, Jansen and
Donath isolated
crystalized from rice
polishings.
Coenzyme form:
Thiamine Diphosphate
(ThDP)
Thiamine HCl, common
form for vitamin
supplementation) stable in acid, unstable
in aqueous solutions with
pH above 5
Exposure to air /
oxidizing agents readily
oxidizes it to thiochrome:
exhibits vivid blue
fluorescence which is the
basis for the quantitative
fluorometric assay of
thiamine is the USP

IMPORTANCE/INDICATION
Prophylaxis of known or
suspected thiamine
deficiencies (Beri-beri:
severe thiamine
deficiency) which is the
result of alcoholism.
Wernicke
encephalopathy/
Wernicke-Kersakoff
syndrome
Thiamine-Responsive
Megaloblastic Anemia
(TRMA): 30-90mg/day

EFFECT OF
EXCESSIVE/DEFICIENCY
AMOUNT
Excess:
Hypervitaminosis
(5mg/day for 4-5 weeks):
results to headache,
insomnia, irritability,
increased heart rate, and
weakness; Parenteral
use: anaphylaxis
Deficiency:
Nervous System (dry
beriberi): manifests as
neurological damage
(may be permanent if
deficiency is severe or
prolonged)
- Wernicke
Encephalopathy /
Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome: severe
form of neurological
damage seen in
alcoholics that has a
high fatality rate and
requires immediate
thiamine therapy
Cardiovascular System
(wet beriberi): manifests

SOURCES
Pork
Whole
grain and
wholegrain
products
(yeast,
beans,
peas)
Beef and
chicken
Some fish
Fortified
ready-toeat
cereals

B
2

Aka Riboflavin
In 1933, it was isolated
from egg whites
In 1935, it was produced
synthetically
N-glycoside of flavin
(lumichrome)
Flavin: flavus, yellow
yellow color of its
crystals and yellow
fluorescence under UV
light
Heat stable but easily
degraded by light
Most dietary riboflavin in
form of noncovalent
bound coenzymes: Flavin
Mononucleotide (FMN)
and Flavin Adenine
Dinucleotide (FAD)
Also, synthesized by
microflora of the large
intestine
Small amounts are
absorbed by an active
carrier present in the
colonic cells
Precursor in the
biosynthesis of the
prosthetic groups of FMN
and FAD
FMN is produced from

Ariboflavinosis (severe
B2 deficiency): result of
alcoholism

as heart failure and

edema
Excess:
No known toxicities most
likely because of the
capacity-limited uptake
that, in the presence of
high doses, down
regulates thereby
limiting absorption
Deficiencies:
Abnormalities in adults:
seborrheic dermatitis,
photophobia, peripheral
neuropathy, anemia,
oropharyngeal changes
including angular
stomatitis, glossitis, and
cheilosis (often the first
signs of deficiency)
In children: cessation of
growth
As the deficiency
progresses, more severe
pathologies
Teratogenic effects and
iron handling leading to
anemia

Milk and
other
dairy
products
Meat
Eggs
Fatty fish
Dark
green
vegetable
s
Fortified
ready--toeat
cereals

B
3

the vitamin and ATP by

riboflavin kinase
Amitryptiline,
imipramine, and
chlorpromazine: inhibit
riboflavin kinase
resulting in functional B2
deficiency
aka Niacin
formerly called Nicotinic
acid (caused confusion)
Chemical Name:
Pyridine-3-carboxylic
acid
Niacinamide/Nicotinamid
e: amide derivative of
niacin that is equivalent
in vitamin activity
Not a true vitamin
Since 1898, it is
prepared from nicotine
In 1913, Funk purified
and identified as a
component of yeast and
rice olishings
Elvehjem et al: first to
prove the link between
niacin and black tongue
disease in dogs
Synthesized into NAD+
and NADP+ from
tryptophan
Niacin derived
nucleotides can also be

Pellagra (pelle skin,

Deficiencies: (ADR)
Vasodilation
agra dry): niacin
Dermatological effects
deficiency which may be
(dry skin, pruritis,
a result from diarrhea,
hyperkeratosis)
cirrhosis, alcoholism, or

GIT effects (peptic ulcer,

Hartnup disease
stomach pain, nausea, &
Hypercholesterolemia
diarrhea)
and

Elevation of serum uric

hypertriglyceridemia
acid and glucose (in type
2 Diabetes)
Rare hepatoxicity

Meat
(beef,
pork,
chicken,
lamb)
Fish
Whole
grain
Fortified
ready--toeat
cereals

B
5

synthesized using
aspartic acid in plants
and microorganisms
Niacinamide is preferred
form for vitamin
supplements, especially
if taken in high doses
Some niacin is relatively
unavailable for
absorption unless food is
treated in a manner that
release the niacin
aka Pantothenic acid
In 1930, Carter et al
were first suggested
existence of Vitamin B5
R.J. Wiliiams et al found a
growth determinant of
universal occurrence
and named it
Pantothenic acid (greek
Pantothen from
everywhere)
Synthesized by most
green plants and
microorganisms
-alanine derivative of
the asymmetric patoic
acid
Occurs primarily in the
form of acyl proteins,
CoA or pantothenic 4phosphate converted to
pantothenic acid by

Known or suspected
Vitamin B5 deficiency

Excess:
Relatively safe
Diarrhea and water
retention (doses of 1020g/day)
Defeciency:
H/A, fatigue, weakness
(Tahiliani and Beinlich)
Sleep and GIT
disturbances

Liver
Egg yolk
Whole
grains
Fortified
ready--toeat
cereals

B
6

B
7

pantehteine hydrolase in
the intestinal lumen
aka Pyridoxine
Chemical Name: 4,5bid(hydroxymethyl)-2methylpyridin-3-ol
In 1934, Paul Gyrgy was
first to realized that
there was a vitamin
distinctly different from
B2
In 1939, Pyridoxine:
(Pyrid of Pyridine and
Oxo of Methoxyl)
In 1938, Lepvosky was
first to report isolation of
Vitamin B6 in crystalline
form
Spinneker et al reviewed
Vitamin B6 deficiencyrelated conditions
aka Biotin
First isolated in 1936
Identified structurally in
1942
Composed of tetrahydro

Known or suspected
Vitamin B6 deficiency

Excess:
Peripheral neuropathy
Paresthesia and alter
proprioception
Deficiency:
Hypochromic, microlytic,
iron-refractory anemia
Cognitive defects
develop with memory
function impairment
especially in elderly
Convulsive seizures,
peripheral neuropathy
with paresthesia, and
burning and thermal
sensations

Whole
grains
Meat
Poultry
Cereals
Peanuts
Corn
Fish