BIOTIN

(VITAMIN B₇)
Introduction
• Biotin is a member of the
B vitamin family.
• It is sulfur containing and
water soluble.
• It consists of two fused
rings, one imidazole and
the other thiophene
derivative.
Synthesis
• Biotin can be synthesized by many bacteria, yeast and
fungi.
• It can be synthesized in the human body by intestinal
flora.
• It is not present alone but as a conjugate or complex with
the amino acid, lysine.
• Once it enters the body, it is released by the help of an
enzyme known as biotinidase.
• If this enzyme is not present, the body will not be able to
utilize the vitamin taken by diet.
Occurrence and food sources
• Biotin is widely distributed in both plants and
animals.
• Foods rich in biotin include:
 Animal sources: they are liver, kidney, milk,
milk products and egg-yolk.
 Plant sources: they are vegetables, legumes,
grains, molasses and royal jelly.
Metabolic role
• Biotin functions as a coenzymes for carboxylases which
catalyze carboxylation. These include the following:
1. Acetyl Co-A carboxylase: it is involved in fatty acid synthesis
for conversion of acetyl co-A to malonyl co-A.
2. Propionyl Co-A carboxylase: it is involved in the metabolism
of different amino acids including valine, isoleucine and
methionine along with the conversion of propionyl co-A to
methylmalonyl co-A.
3. Pyruvate dehydrogenase: it is involved in gluconeogenesis
for the conversion of pyruvate to oxaloacetate.
4. Methyl Crotonyl Co-A carboxylase: it is involved in leucine
metabolism for conversion of methyl crotonyl co-A to methyl
glutaconyl co-A.
Deficiency
• It can occur due to
 Insufficient intake,
 Prolonged use of antibiotics or
 Over-consumption of raw egg-white
• The unavailability of biotinadase enzyme can leas to two
types of deficiencies:
1. Congenital deficiency: it can occur due to lack of genes
that synthesize biotinidase. The genes are either
mutated or abnormally encoded at the time of birth.
2. Partial deficiency: it can occur due to abnormal
synthesis of biotinidase and can arise after birth at any
stage of life.
Disorders
• Biotin deficiency can produce the following disorders:
1. Dermatitis: characterized by red, scaly, greasy, itchy and
inflamed skin.
2. Candidiasis: characterized by white patched on the tongue or
other areas of the mouth and throat. Other symptoms include
sore throat and problems in swallowing.

Daily recommended allowance

• Children: 20 µg/day
• Adult male: 30 µg/day
• Adult female: 30 µg/day
• Pregnant female: 30 µg/day
• Lactating female: 35 µg/day