CONTENT :-

 VITAMINS
- Introduction
 Classification
 Fat Vs Water Soluble Vitamins
 Water-soluble B-complex vitamins (8 Vitamins)
-Introduction
- Chemistry
- Biochemical function
- Deficiency
- Recommended dietary allowance (RDA)
- Dietary Sources
 References
 VITAMINS
“Vitamins are organic compounds required in the diet
in small amounts to perform specific biological
functions for normal growth and health of an
organism”
The body needs vitamins to stay healthy and a varied

diet usually gives you all the vitamins you need.

Vitamins do not provide energy (calories) directly, but

they do help regulate energy-producing processes.

Vitamins cannot be synthesized by the human body

(except D&K) and must be obtained from the diet.

CLASSIFICATION OF VITAMINS
VITAMINS

Water Soluble Fat Soluble

Vit A
Vit D
B-Complex Non-B complex
Vit E
Vit K

Vit B1 (Thiamine)
Vit B2 (Riboflavin)
Vit B3 (Niacin)
Vit B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Vit B6 (Pyridoxin) Vit C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vit B7 (Biotin)
Vit B9 (Folic Acid)
Vit B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
FAT Vs WATER SOLUBLE
VITAMINS
 FAT SOLUBLE :-  WATER SOLUBLE :-

- Dissolve in fat - Dissolve in water

- Need fat for absorption
- Easily absorbed and
and transport
excreted via urine
- Easily stored
- Not easily stored
VITAMIN B1(THIAMINE)
 Thiamine is a water soluble anti-beri beri
vitamin soluble in water
 It has specific co-enzyme [TPP – Thiamine
Pyrophosphate] which is mostly associated
with carbohydrate metabolism
 Thiamine is the only natural compound with
thiazole ring
CHEMISTRY OF THIAMINE
METHELENE BRIDGE

THIAZOLE
RING

PYRIMIDIN RING

 Thiamine contains a pyrimidin ring and a thiazole ring

connected by a methelene bridge.

 The alcohol(-OH) group of thiamine is esterified with

phosphate(2-molecules) to form the co-enzyme Thiamine
pyrophosphate (TPP)
BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS OF TPP
 TPP act as a Co-enzyme for following enzymes:-
- Pyruvate dehydrogenase (pyruvate to Acetyl CoA)
- Transketolase (production of Ribose & NADPH)
- Tryptophanpyrrolase (tryptophan metabolism)
- Pyruvate carboxylase (pyruvate to acetaldehyde)
- TPP binds with the Alfa-ketoacids and transfer the resulting activated
carbohydrate group to Alfa-Lipoic acid
- TPP plays an important role in the transmission of nerve impulse. TPP is
required for acetylcholine synthesis and the ion translocation of neural
tissue
DEFICIENCY
 Deficiency of vit-B1 results in a condition called Beri-
beri
- Early symptoms are loss of appetite, weakness,
constipation, nausea, mental depression etc
 RDA :- Adult 1-1.5mg/day

Children 0.7-1.2
mg/day
 DIETARY SOURCES : - Cereals (Thiamine is

mostly concentrated in outer layer), pulses, oil

seeds, nuts and yeast are good sources of Vit-B1
VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN)
 Riboflavin through its Co-enzymes (FMN & FAD)
takes part in variety of cellular oxidation-reduction
reactions
 CHEMISTRY :- Riboflavin contains 6,7-dimethyl

isoalloxazine (a heterocyclic 3-ring structure

Pyrimidine, Azine, Benzene) attached to D-Ribitol by
a nitrogen atom
- Ribitol is an open chain form of sugar ribose with
the aldehyde group(-CHO) reduced to
Alcohal(CH2OH)
STRUCTURE

Flavokinase
ATP
ADP

FAD synthetase
ATP
PPi
BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTION OF VITB2

 FMN & FAD participate in many redox reactions

responsible for energy production
 FMN or FAD undergo identical reversible reactions
accepting two H-atom forming FMNH2 & FADH2
 FAD & FMN are associated in certain enzymes
involved in carbohydrate, protein, lipid and purine
metabolisms, besides the electron transport chain
 Enzymes that use flavin Co-enzymes (FMN/FAD)
are called Flavoprotiens
FAD Dependent Enzymes :-
 Carbohydrate Metabolism:-
- Pyruvate Dehydrogenase (Pyruvate to Acetyl CoA)
- Succinate Dehydrogenase (Succinate to fumarate)
 Lipid Metabolism:-
- Acyl CoA Dehydrogenase (Acyl CoA to alpha,beta
unsaturated Acyl CoA )
 Protein metabolism :-
- D-Amino Acid oxidase (D-Amino Acid to alpha
keto-acid + NH3)
 Purine Metabolism:- Xanthine Oxidase (Xanthine to
Uric acid)
DEFICIENCY OF VITB2
 It includes cheilosis (fissures at the corner of
the mouth) glossitis (tongue smooth and
purplish) and dermatitis

 RDA :- 1.2-1.7 mg/day for Adult

 DIETARY SOURCES :- milk & milk products,

meat, eggs, liver, kidney are rich sources
VITAMIN B3 (NIACIN)
 Niacin or nicotinic acid is also known as pellagra
(Italian:- Rough Skin) preventive factor
 The coenzymes of niacin (NAD & NADP) can be
synthesized by the essential amino acid, tryptophan.
 Structurally it is monocarboxylic acid, the amide
form of niacin is known as nicotinamide.
 Dietary Niacin & nicotinamide contribute in the
synthesis of Co-enzyme NAD (Nicotinamide
Adenine Dinucleotide) & NADP
CHEMISTRY OF VIT BNicotinamide
3

Pyrophosphate

Niacin

Ribose

Adenine
NAD
BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS OF B3

 NAD can reversibally reduced to NADH and thus involved in

variety of oxidation reduction reactions
 Large no of enzymes of class oxidoreductases are dependent
on NAD & NADP
 These participate in almost all the metabolism (carbohydrate,
lipid, protein, nucleic acid)
 For Example : -
 Alcohol dehydrogenase (ethanol to acetaldehyde)
 Lactate dehydrogenase (pyruvate to lactate)

 Phenylalanine hydroxylase (phenylalanine to tyrosine)

DEFICIENCY :- Niacin deficiency results in Pellagra.

It involves 3d’s i.e – Dermatitis (rough skin & inflammation
of skin), Diarrhoea, Dementia (anxiety, irritability, poor
memory, and sleeplessness) if not treated rarely lead to 4 th
D (Death!)
RDA :- Adult – 15-20mg/day
Children – 10-15 mg/day
DIETARY SOURCES:- liver, yeast, whole grains, cereals,
pulses like beans and peanuts are rich sources.
 VIT B5(PANTOTHENIC ACID)
Structure-

pantonic acid beta-alanine

pantothenic acid
 Active form of pantothenic acid is Coenzyme-A and it is largely
bound to proteins
 Its metabolic role as Coenzyme-A (A for acetylation) is wide
spread
CHEMISTRY:- Pantothenic acid consists of two compounds,
pantonic acid and beta-alanine, held together by a peptide linkage
Coenzyme-A is synthesized from pantothenic acid in a series of
reaction.
Coenzyme-A

 Coenzyme-A consist of a
pantothenic acid joined to
thioethanol amine on one
end, on the other end
pantothenic acid is held by
a phosphate bridge to
adenylic acid (made up of
adenine) & a phosphate
linked to carbon-3 of ribose
 BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS OF VIT B5
 Coenzyme-A is a central molecule involved in all the
metabolism
 More than 70 enzymes depend on Coenzyme-A

e.g.:- Pyruvate dehydrogenase (pyruvate to Acetyl CoA)

- Thiokinase (fatty acid to Acyl CoA)
- Pantothenic acid is a constituent of a compound called
Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP)
- Activation of certain Amino acids may also involve CoA-
SH
DEFICIENCY:- linked to the “burning feet syndrome” – pain
and numbness in the toes, sleeplessness, fatigue etc.
RDA :- 5-10 mg/day for adults
DIETARY SOURCES:- egg, liver, meat, yeast, milk etc
 VITAMIN B6
 Vitamin-B6 is used to collectively represent the
compounds namely Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal, Pyridoxamine
CHEMISTRY:-
 Vit-B6 compounds are pyridine derivatives, they differ
from each other in the structure of a functional group
attached to 4th carbon in pyridine ring
 Pyridoxine is a primary alcohol, pyridoxal is an aldehyde
form, while pyridoxamine is an amine form
 The active form of Vit-B6 is the Coenzyme Pyridoxal
Phosphate (PLP)
 PLP can be synthesized from the three compounds
Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal, Pyridoxamine
 Vit-B6 is excreted in urine as 4-pyridoxic acid
CHEMISTRY OF VIT B6
 Diagram remaining
 BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS OF VIT B6
 PLP is closely associated with the metabolism of
aminoacid.
 PLP participates in reactions like Transamination,
Decaboxylation, Deamination, Transsulfuration etc
E.g.:-Transamination:- Histidine Histamine
Tyrosine Tyramine
Deaminase:- Serine Pyruvate
Threonine alpha-ketobutryic acid
Transsulfurase:- Homocytosin Serine
 Vit B6 is also involved in transport and absorption of
amino acids
DEFICIENCY
 Pyridoxine deficiency is associated with neurological
symptoms, such as depression, nervousness,
irritability, mental confusion etc
 Decrease in hemoglobin level are also associated

with Vit-B6 deficiency

RDA :- 2 – 2.2 mg/day for Adults
Dietary Sources :- Animal Sources like egg yolk, fish,
milk, meat etc and vegetable sources like cabbage,
roots and tubers.
VITAMIN B7(BIOTIN)
 Biotin is also known as anti-egg white injury
factor,Vit-B7 or Vit-H , it is a sulfur containing B-
complex vitamin.
 It directly participates as a Coenzyme in the
carboxylation(CO2 fixation) reactions (i.e.-
carboxylases)
 Biotin is 1st converted to carboxybiotin complex by
reaction with HCO3 and ATP
 CO2-biotin complex is the source of active CO2
which is transferred to substrate.
 CHEMISTRY VIT B7
 Biotin is a heterocyclic sulfur containing monocarboxylic acid
 The structure is formed by fusion of imidazole & thiophene rings with a
valeric acid side chain
 Biotin is covalently bound to amino group of lysine to form biocytin in
the enzyme
O
C
site of CO2 binding HN NH
Imidazole ring HC CH binds with amino grp of Lys in enzyme

Thiophene ring H2C C (CH2)4 COOH

S

BIOTIN
 BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS OF VIT B7
 Biotin serves as a carrier of CO2 in carboxylation reaction
 E.g. :- pyruvate carboxylase (pyruvate to oxaloacetate)
 It is also playing a role in first step of fatty acid
biosynthesis which is carboxylation reaction
 Acetyl-Co-A carboxylase (Acetyl CoA to Malonyl CoA)
 Propionyl -Co-A carboxylase (Propionyl -Co-A to methyl-
Malonyl CoA)
 DEFICIENCY OF VIT B7
 The symptoms of biotin deficiency are anemia,
nausea, dermatitis, glossitis etc
 The deficiency may be due to prolong use of
drugs like sulfonamides or high consumption of
raw eggs as it contain avidin which binds with
biotin and blocks its absorption from intestine
 RDA:- 100 – 300 mg/day for adults
 Dietary Sources:- liver, kidney, egg-yolk, milk,
tomatoes, grains etc
 FOLIC ACID
 Folic acid is a Hematopoietic vitamin
 It is important for one-carbon metabolism and is required
for the synthesis of certain amino acids, purines and
pyrimidine – thymine
 CHEMISTRY:- folic acid consist of three components
Pteridine ring, P-amino benzoic acid (PABA), and
Glutamic acid (1-7 residues)
 The active form of folic acid is TetrahydroFolicAcid (THF)
 THF is synthesized from folic acid by the enzyme
‘dihydrofolate reductase’
CHEMISTRY OF FOLIC ACID

Tetrahydrofolicacid (THF)

Dihydrofolate reductase
 BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS OF FOLIC ACID

 Active Coenzyme of folic acid is the reduced

tetrahydrofolate (FH4)
 This Coenzyme is actively involved in the one
carbon metabolism, it serves as an acceptor or
donor of one carbon units [formyl (-CHO),
methyl(-CH3)] in a variety of reactions involving
amino acid and nucleotides metabolism.
 NADP NADPH + H+ NAD NADH + + H+

-CH2OH -CHO -COOH

dehydrogenases H2O
 DEFICIENCY OF FOLIC ACID
 Folic acid deficiency is probably the most common
vitamin deficiency
 In folic acid deficiency decreased production of
purines is observed which impairs DNA synthesis
 Folic acid deficiency in pregnant women may cause
neural defects in the fetus, Hence high doses of
folic acid are recommended in pregnancy to
prevent birth defects
 RDA :- 200 microgram per day
 Dietary Sources :- green vegetables, whole
grains, cereals, liver, kidney, yeast and eggs
 VITAMIN B12(CYANOCOBALAMIN)
 It is also known as anti pernicious anamia vitamin
 It is unique vitamin synthesized by microorganisms and
not by animals and plants
 CHEMISTRY:-
 The structure of Vit-B12 is complex consists of “corrin
ring” with a central cobalt atom.
 The corrin ring has four pyrrole units (A,B,C&D), A&D
are directly bound to each other whereas B&C are held
by methylene bridges
 The groups like methylacetamide & propionamide are
the substituent on the pyrrole ring
 Cobalt present at the centre of corrin-ring, is bonded to
four pyrrole nitrogen's
 Cobalt also helds (below the corrin plane),
dimethyl benzimidazole (DMB) containing
ribose-5-phosphate and amino isopropanol
 The cobalt atom also possesses
Cyanide(CN) group in cyanocobalamine (Vit-
B12)
CHEMISTRY OF VIT B12

Corrin ring system

Directly attached

Amino-iso-propanol

Ribose-5-phosphate
methelene bridge
dimethyl benzimidazole
BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS
 Vit-B12 helps in synthesis and maturation of RBC ,
WBC , & Platelets
 Vit-B12 also helps in methylation of homocysteine to
methionine, methylation of pyrimidine ring to form
thymine
 Conversion of ribonucleotides to
deoxyribonucleotides.
 Conversion of L-methyl malonyl CoA to Succinyl CoA
 Conversion of glutamic acid to beta-methyl aspartate
DEFICIENCY OF VIT B12
 The important disease associated with Vit-
B12 deficiency is Pernicious anemia, it is
characterized by low Hb-levels, decreased
number of RBC and neurological disorders.
 RDA:- Adults – 3 microgram/day
Childrens – 0.5-1.5 microgram/day
 Dietary Sources:- liver, kidney, milk, curd,
eggs, fish, pork, and chiken
References :-

 BOOK :- Bio-Chemistry by satyanarayan

 Website:- www.wikipedia.org
THANK YOU
 NON B-COMPLEX VITAMIN
 VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID)
 It was the 1st vitamin to be isolated in pure
crystalline form
 It is a hexose derivative and closely resembles
monosaccharides in structure
 It is a strong reducing agent
 The plasma and tissue pre-domintly contain
ascorbic acid in the reduced form
 Vit-C was named ascorbic acid due to its anti-
scorbutic properties
 CHEMISTRY OF VIT C
 L- ascorbic acid is a strong reducing agent readily
loosing hydrogen atom to become dehydro ascorbic
acid.
O C 2H O C H2O O C OH
HO C O C O C
HO C O O C O O C
H C 2H H C H C OH
HO C H OH C H HO C H
CH2OH CH2OH CH2OH
L-ascorbicacid(reduced) dehydroL-ascorbicacid(oxidized) Diketogulonicacid(inactive)
 Vit-C activity is lost when the ring dehydro ascorbic acid
is hydrolysed to yield diketogulonic acid.
 Oxidation of Vit-C is rapid in presence of copper hence it
becomes inactive if the foods are prepared in copper
vessel.
 BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS :-
 Promotes many metabolic reactionsparticularly protein
metabolism(tyrosine, tryptophan metabolism)
 Plays an important role in the formation of connective
tissue by synthesizing collagen.
 As a Coenzyme it may combine with poisons and makes
them harmless untill excreted
 Vit-C is important for bone and teeth formation
 Enhances iron absorption by keeping it in ferrous form
 Enhances the synthesis of immunoglobulins
 Vit-A,E&C are important to decrease the risk
factor of cataract, cancer and heartattack due to
their anti-oxidant(reducing) property
 DEFICIENCY:-
 Absence of ascorbic acid in human diet give rise
to cscurvy, a disease characterized by edema,
subcutaneous haemorrhages, anemia and
pathological changes in teeth and gums
 Many symptoms related to poor connective tissue
growth and repair
 RDA:- Adult – 60-70 mg/day
 Sources:- citrus fruits,grminating
seeds,cabbage,cauliflower,beans etc
 VITAMIN A
 The fat soluble Vitamin-A, as such is present only in
foods of animal origin, However,its provitamins
carotene are found in plants.
 CHEMISTRY:-
 Retinol and retinal both are isoprenoid compounds
containing six-membered carbocyclic ring and an
11carbon sidechain
 RETINOL(Vit-A alcohol):- it is a primary alcohol
containing beta-ionons ring.
 The side chain has two isoprenoid units, four double
bonds and one hydroxyl group
 Retinol is present in animal tissues as retinyl ester with
long chain fatty acid.
 RETINAL (Vit-A aldehyde):- this is an aldehyde
form obtained by the oxidation of retinol.
 Retinal and retinol are inter convertible
 RETINOIC ACID (Vit-A acid):- this is produced
by oxidation of retinal
 However, retinoic acid cannot give rise to the
formation of retinal or retinol
 BETA-CAROTENE(ProVit-A) this is found in
plant food
 The carotenes have no inninsic Vit-a activity but
enzymatically they are cleaved into two
molecules of retinal
CHEMISTRY OF VITAMIN-A
 BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS OF VIT-

A
Vit-A ia necessary for a variety of functions such as
vision, proper growth and differentiation, reproduction
and maintenance of epithelial cells.
 Vit-A is essential for color and dim-light vision
 Retinol & retinoic acid function almost like steroid
hormones,they regulate the protein synthesis and thus
are involved in the cellgrowth and differentiation
 They are also involved in the synthesis of transferrin,the
iron transport protein
 Cholesterol synthesis requires Vit-A
 Carotenoids functions as antioxidants and reduce the
risk of cancers initiated by free redicals and strong
oxidants
 DEFICIENCY
 The deficiency is mainly related to eyes,skin and growth
 Night blindness is one of the earliest symptoms,severe
deficiency leads to xerophthalmia(dryness in conjuctiva
and cornea and keratinization of epithelial cells)if persist
for long time results in the destruction of cornea
 RDA:- 1050 mg retinol/day for adult
 DIETARY SOURCES:- liver,kidney,egg
yolk,milk,cheese,butter,fish(cod or shark) liver oils are
very rich in Vit-A, yellow and darkgreen vegetables and
fruits are good source of carotenes
 VITAMIN-D
 Vitamin-D resembles sterol in structure and functions like a hormone
 Most important are Vit-D2(ergocalciferol) & Vit-D3(cholecalciferol)
the form normally found in mammals
CHEMISTRY:-
 D-Vitamins are generated from the pro-vitamins.ergosterol & 7-
dehydrocholesterol by the action of sunlight
 Ergosterol occurs in plants and 7-dehydrocholesterol in animals

 U.V-radiation from sunlight cleaves the beta-ring of both

compounds,both vitamins are of equal potency.
 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin is natural precursor of
cholecalciferol in man. The conversion requires irradiation of skin by
sunlight.
 Vit-D Preparation available commercially are products of the
u.v.irradiation of ergosterol from yeast
FORMATION OF VIT-D
 BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS OF VIT-
D
 calcitriol regulates the plasma level of

calcium&phosphate,it act at 3-different

level(intestine,kidney and bone)
 Action on intestine:- it binds with cytosolic
receptor and increase the intestinal absorption of
calcium and phosphate
 Action on bone:- it stimulates calcium uptake for
deposition as calcium phosphate, Thus essential
for bone formation.
 Action on kidney:- it minimizes the excretion of
calcium and phosphate.
 DEFICIENCY OF VIT D
 Deficiency of Vit-D leads to demineralization of
bone
 This results in rickets(bone deformities and soft

bone) in children
RDA :- 5mg cholecalciferol per day
Dietary Sources :- fatty fish,fish liver oils, egg yolk.
 VITAMIN-E(TOCOPHEROLS)
 Tocopherols occurs in plant oils in varying amounts Vit-
E is naturally occurring antioxidant.
 It is essential for normal reproduction in many animals

hence known as anti-sterility vitamin

CHEMISTRY:-
 Vit-E is the name given to a group of tocopherols,

possessing Vit-A activity

 Alpha- tocopherol is the most active

 The tocopherol are derivatives of 6-hydroxy

chromane(tocol) ring with isoprenoid(3units) sidechain.

 The antioxidant property is due to the chromane ring.
CHEMISTRY VIT-E
BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS VIT-E
 It prevents the non-enzymatic oxidation of various cell
component (e.g. unsaturated fatty acids)by molecular
oxygen and free radicals(superoxide,hydrogen
peroxide)
 Vit-E is essential for membrane structure and integrity
of the cell as it is found in association with lipoprotein
 It protects RBC’s from haemolysis by oxidizing agents
 Vit-E preserves and maintains germinal epithelium of
gonads for proper reproductive function
 It is required for optimum absorption of amino acids
from intestine
 It is required for proper storage of creatine in skeletal
muscles
 DEFICIENCY OF VIT E
 Vit-E deficiency may cause sterility,megaloblastic
anaemia and changes in central nervous system,
increased fragility of erythrocytes,abnormal
cellular mambrane etc
RDA :- 10mg of alpha-tocopherol/day for Adult
Dietary Sources :- cotton seed oil, peanut oil, corn
oil, sunflower oil etc are good sources, also
present in meat,milk, butter and eggs
 VITAMIN K
 Vitamin-K is the only fat soluble Vitamin with a specific
Coenzyme function.
 It is required for the production of blood clotting factor,

essential for coagulation

CHEMISTRY:-
 Vit-K exists in different forms,Vit-K1 (phylloquinone) is

present in plants
 Vit-K2(menaquinone) is produced by intestinal bacteria

and also found in animals

 Vit-K3(menadione)is a synthetic form

 All three Vitamins are naphthoquinone derivatives

 Isoprenoid side chain is present in Vitamins-K1 & K2

CHEMISTRY OF VIT-K

Vit-K2
(menaquinone)

Vit-K3
(menadione)
 BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTION VIT-K
 Vit-K has been shown to be involved in the
maintenance of normal levels of blood clotting
factors(2,7,9,10) all of which are synthesized in
liver
 Vit-K is also required for the carboxylation of
glutamic acid residues of osteocalcin, a calcium
binding protein in the bone
 Plays an important role in blood clotting
 DEFICIENCY VIT-K
 Leads to lack of active prothrombin in the
circulation, blood coagulation is adversely
affected and blood clotting time is increased
RDA :-70-140 microgram per day for adult
Dietary Sources:-
cabbage,cauliflower,tomatoes,spinach and other
green vegitables are good sources
BIOCHEMICAL FUNCTIONS OF VIT-
A