Vitamins

Submitted to:
Dr. Maimoona
Mushtaq
Vitamin:
 The world vitamin comes from the Latin word “Vita’’
means life.
 Vitamins may be regarded as organic compounds
required in the diet in small amounts to perform
specific biological functions for normal maintenance of
optimum growth and health of the organism.
 Everybody must eat a certain amount of vitamins to stay
healthy.
Vitamins
 The discovery of atoms was began by polish
History :
biochemist Casimir Funk.
 Funk also consider as father of vitamins
Characteristics
 Vitamins are required in small quantities in the diet because they
cannot be synthesize by the body.
 Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in human tissues their
access is excreted with urine.
 Significant amounts of fat soluble vitamins can be stored in
adipose tissue and the liver.
 Once growth and development are completed vitamins remain
essential nutrients for the healthy maintenance of the cells tissues
and organs
Functions of vitamins:
 Vitamins are helpful for the health and life of the body in
the following respects:
 They build up the resistance of the body against diseases
 Prevent and cure various diseases cause by deficiency.
 Help the digestion and utilization of mineral salts and
carbohydrates in the body.
 Stimulate and give strength to digestive and nervous
system.
 Help health protection
Classification
 On the basis of their solubility vitamins are mainly two types:-
. Fat soluble vitamins: vitamins that dissolve in fat because fat is
easily stored in our body fat soluble vitamins can be stored within our
fat this means they can accumulate and be saved for later use.
The fat soluble vitamins are A , D , E and K.
 Water soluble vitamins : vitamins that dissolve in water because
our body is a watery environment these vitamins can move through
our body pretty easily and they can also be flushed out by the kidneys
.Water soluble vitamins include the complex vitamins and vitamin C
they are eight B vitamins including vitamin B1, B2 ,B3 ,B5 ,B6, B7 B9
and B12
Criteria Water soluble Fat soluble

Absorption Directly to blood Lymph via CM

Transport Free Require carrier

Storage Circulate freely In cells with with fat

Excretion In urine Stored with fat

Toxicity Possible w supplements Likely w supplements

Requirement Every 2-3 days Every week

Water soluble vitamins :
Vitamin C:
Definition:
 Vitamin C is also known as L-Ascorbic acid.It is a water
soluble versatile vitamin. It playes an important role in
human health and disease. It is also a generic prescription
medication and in some countries is sold as a non-
prescription dietary supplement. As a therapy, it is used to
prevent and treat scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C
deficiency
Chemistry:
Biochemical
Functions:
 Bone formation:
Bone tissues possesses an organic matrix,
collagen and the inorganic calcium phosphate
etc. Vitamin C is required for bone formation.
 Typtophan metabolism:
Vitamic C is essential for the hydroxylation of
tryptophan(enzyme-hydroxylase) to
hydroxytryptophan in the synthesis of serotonin.
 Vitamin C

Immunological Function:
Vitamin C enhance the synthesis of
immunoglobulins(antibodies) and increases the phagocytic
action of leukocytes.
Preventive action on chronic
diseases:
 Asan antioxidant vitamin C reduces the risk of Cancer,
cataract and coronary heart diseases.
 Vitamin C

Collagen formation:
 Vitamin C plays the role of coenzyme in hydroxylation
of proline and lysine while protocollagen is converted
to collagen.The hydroxylation reaction is catalysed by
hydroxylase. This reaction is dependent on vitamin C
molecular Oxygen and alpha keto glutarate.
 Hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine are essential for the
collagen cross linking and the strength of the fibre. In
this way vitamin C is necessary for maintenance of
normal connective tissue and wound healing process.
• Daily requirement:
About 40-50mg vitamin C intake per day will meet the adult
requirement. Additional intakes(20-40%increase) are recommended for
women during pregnancy and lactation

Dietary sources:
 Citrus fruits(lemon,orange)
 Gooseberry(amla)
 Green vegetables(cabbage and spinach)
 Potatoes are rich in ascorbic acid.
 High constant of vitamin C is found in adrenal gland and gonads.
 Milk is a poor source of ascorbic acid.
Deficiency
symptoms:
 The deficiency of ascorbic acid(mostly found in children
and elderly people) results in Scurvy.
 Scurvy:
Tthis disease is characterized by spongy and sore gums,
loose teeth, anemia,swollen joints,fragile blood vessels,
decreased immunocompetence,dealyed wound
healing,sluggish hormonal function of adrenal cortex and
gonads, haemorrhage, osteoporosis etc.
Infantile scurvy was reported as early as 1934.It occurs in
infants aged 6-12 months due to vitamin C deficiency.
 VITAMIN B COMPLEX
Is a combination of B1 to B12
vitamins except B2,B4, B10 &
B11.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Introduction
Structure
Biological functions
Dietary sources
Recommend diet
Deficiency
 Introduction:
 Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is part of the vitamin B group
 It is water soluble vitamin which means it is not stored in the
body
 Riboflavin is absorbed from the small intestine through the
portal vein and is passed on to all tissues by the general
circulation
 Excess riboflavin ingested is not stored in the tissues
A major part is excreted in urine and a small part is broken
down in the tissues
 Structure:
 Riboflavin has a dimethyl isoalloxazine ring to which a
ribitol is attached
 Ribitol is the alcohol of the ribose sugar
 Riboflavinis converted to its active co enzyme forms
(FMN and FAD) with the help of ATP
 Stable to heat
 Light and alkali destroys it
Co-enzyme activity of Riboflavin
 Riboflavin exists in tissues tightly bound with enzymes
 Enzymes containing riboflavin are called flavoproteins
 Riboflavin is the component of two flavin enzymes
 The two coenzymes are FMN(flavin mono nucleotide) and
FAD(flavin adenine di nucleotide)
 The two co enzymes take part in various oxidation reduction
reactions
 The oxidised are yellow in colour while on reduction they
become colourless
FMN and FAD Co-enzyme formation :

Flavin mono-nucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine din-

nucleotide (FAD) are the two coenzyme forms of
riboflavin. The ribitol (5 carbon) is linked to a
phosphate in FMN. FAD is formed from FMN by the
transfer of an AMP moiety from ATP.
Sources and Deficiencies of Vitamin B2:
 Rich sources :
 Rich sources are liver , dried yeast , egg , whole wheat
 Good sources:
 Good sources are fish , whole , cereals , legumes and green leafy vegetables

Deficiency :
 Arabinoflavinosis disease occur due to its deficiency.
 symptoms include :
 Cheilosis (fissure at the corner of the mouth )
 Glossitis(tongue smooth and purplish)
 Dermatitis (Inflammation of skin found in the areas of the skin exposed
to the sunlight which includes neck , ankle and parts of the face)
Daily Requirements:
 0.4 mg infants through 12 months
 0.5 mg children 1 through 3 years
 1.3 mg adults and children > or = to 4 years
 1.6 mg pregnant women and lactating women
Biological Function:

 Riboflavin’s coenzyme involves in oxidation reduction reactions

 These two coenzymes are involved in energy metabolism, antibody production
, body growth
 Riboflavin is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats
 It works with the other B vitamins
 It helps in the red blood cell production
 It also aids in the release of energy from proteins
Table Of Contents
• Introduction
• Names
• Discovery
• Properties
• Structure
• Chemistry
• Occurrence/Sources
• Recommended Dietary Allowance
• Deficiency
• Biochemical Function
 VITAMIN B3- NIACIN

Introduction
 Niacin is the generic term for Nicotinamide and nicotinic acid
 Obtained by the oxidation of nicotine
 Is an organic compound with the formula C6H5NO2
 Simple derivative of Pyridine
 White Crystalline Substance
 Water Soluble
 Resistance to heat
 One of the most Stable Vitamin
 Can be easily Synthesized Commercially
Names Of Vitamin B3
 Niacin
 Niacinamide or Nicotinamide
 Vitamin P or PP(Pellagra Preventive)
 Pellagra Preventive Factor
 Nicotinic Acid
 Vitamin G(after Goldberger’s Death,vitamin B3
sometimes called in his owner)
 Discovery
Joseph Goldberger in 1920
An Australian-American Physician of the
US Public Health Service.

Properties
• Niacin is a white crystalline substance
• soluble in water and ethyl alcohol
• less soluble in ether and benzene
• Stable in air and heat
• Nicotinamide, when pure, occurs as white needle like crystals
Structure

Niacin (C6H5O2N) is simplest form of all known vitamins.

It is pyridine derivative. The term nicotinic acid should not be confused
with nicotine.

Nicotinic Acid Nicotinamide

Chemistry
 Precursor: Dietary Tryptophan
 The coenzymes of Niacin(NAD+ and NADP+)
can be synthesized by the essential amino acid tryptophan
 The term Niacin is used for Nicotinic Acid
 The amide form of Niacine is known as niacinamide or nicotinamide
 The conversion of Niacin to niacinamide takes place in the kidney, brain Slices
and liver slices.

The conversion of tryptophan to nicotinic acid in the body takes place through a
series of intermediate steps, which are possible with the help of niacin.
 Dietary nicotinamide, niacin and tryptophan contribute to the
Synthesis of coenzymes NAD+ and NADP+
 Niacin undergoes series of reaction to produce NAD+ and NADP+
 60mgs tryptophan= 1mg of niacin for the synthesis of coenzymes

Sources
Niacin is found in variety of foods.
• Animal Products like fish ,egg ,poultry beef
• Fruits and vegetables: Avacado, potato, leafy vegetables
• Seeds: groundnut, almonds, whole cereals, Pulses
Recommended dietary Allowance
Niacin requirement is related to energy intake. For very 1000 Kcal intake
6.6 mg of niacin to be taken.
Infants
• 0-6 months: 2 mg per day
• 7-12 months: 4 mg per day
Children
• 1-3 years: 6mg/day
• 4-8 years: 8mg/day
• 9-13 years: 12 mg /day
Adolescents and Adults
• Males age 14 and older: 16 mg per day
• Females age 14 and older: 14 mg per day
Specific recommendations depend on age, gender etc.
Deficiency of B3
 Pellagra
 Commonly referred to as 3 Ds
1. Dermatatis
Inflammation of Skin
Found in the areas of skin exposed to sunlight( neck, dorsal part of feet
ankle, face)
2. Diarrhea
Confused, disoriented
Degenerate of nervous tissue(weakness of mind).
Symptoms: Anxiety(fear or worry)
Irritability(respond to reaction to stimulus)
Poor memory
Insomnia(sleeplessness)
 3. Diarrhea
Inflammation of mucous membrane.
Increased frequency and fluidity of the stools often with
blood and mucous.
 4th D: if not treated may lead to death
Biochemical Function
Niacin is a function of coenzyme NAD+ and NADP+. Both involved in oxidation and
reduction reactions. Therefore, involved in many metabolic pathways of
carbohydrate, lipid and protein.
NAD+
• Nicotimide adenine dinucleotide
• Catalyze oxidation reduction reaction in oxidative pathways e.g citric acid cycling
and glycolysis.
• Involve in electron transport chain to produce ATP.
• Catabolic Reaction
NADP+
• Nicotimide adenine dinucleotide Phosphate
• Are often found in pathways concerned with reductive synthesis e.g synthesis
cholesterol, fatty acid and pentose phosphate pathways.
• Anabolic Reaction