B and C complex vitamins

1. WATER SOLUBLE
VITAMINS
By: Sakshi V. Shiram

2. INTRODUCTION:
The word VITAMIN comes from the
Greek word “VITAMINE” which means
‘Vitals for life.’
Vitamins are organic compounds
required in the diet in small amounts to
perform specific biological functions
for natural maintenance of optimum
growth and health.

4. GENERAL PROPERTIES OF
WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS:
• They are heterogeneous group of compounds since they differ
chemically from each other. The only common thing about
them is their solubility in water.
• Excreted in the urine and are non-toxic to the body.
• Not stored in large quantities (except vitamin B12) hence they
must be continuously supplied in the diet.
• The water soluble vitamins form coenzymes (active form of the
vitamin). That help enzymes to participate in a variety of
biochemical reactions.

5. Vitamin B1: THIAMINE
Thiamine contains a pyrimidine ring and a thiazole ring.
The active form of Thiamine is the coenzyme Thiamine Pyrophosphate (TTP). Activation
occurs in liver.
Food sources of thiamine include beef, liver, dried milk, nuts, oats, oranges, pork, eggs,
seeds, legumes, peas and yeast. Foods are also fortified with thiamine. Some foods that
are often fortified with vitamin B1 are rice, pasta, breads, cereals and flour.
RDA: 1-1.5 mg/day

6. Biochemical
Functions
Thiamine pyrophosphate is involved with the
energy releasing reactions of carbohydrate
metabolism.
Causes of deficiency:
• Inadequate diet
• Alcoholism
• Pregnancy and lactaction

7. Vitamin B2: RIBOFLAVIN
• An essential B vitamin, not synthesized in humans.
• Isoalloxazine ring attached to the Ribitol.
• Stable to heat but sensitive to light. When exposed
to UV rays it gets destroyed.
• Riboflavin is found in eggs, nuts, dairy products,
meats, broccoli, brewer's yeast, Brussel sprouts,
wheat germ, wild rice, mushrooms, soybeans, green
leafy vegetables and whole grain and enriched
cereals and bread
• RDA: 1-2mg/day

8. Active coenzymes of
Riboflavin:
• FMN: Flavin
mononucleotide
• FAD: Flavin adenine
dinucleotide
• FAD = FMN + AMP
• Active forms are formed
in the intestine and liver.

9. Causes of deficiency:
• Phototherapy
• Chronic alcoholism
• Pregnancy and lactation.
May cause…
• Glossitis: smooth and purplish tongue
• Dermatitis: Inflammation of the facial skin in particular
• Cheilosis: Fissures at the corner of the mouth.

10. Vitamin B3: NIACIN
Niacin is Pyrimidine derivative.
Active coenzymes of Niacin: formed in liver.
NAD+: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
NADP+: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate.
NAD+
NADH + H+
NADP+
NADPH + H+
Good sources of vitamin B3 (niacin) include yeast, meat,
poultry, red fish (e.g., tuna, salmon), cereals, legumes, and
seeds. Milk, green leafy vegetables, coffee, and tea also
provide some niacin
RDA: 15-20 mg/day

11. Causes of deficiency:
• Inadequate diet
• Pregnancy and lactation
• Chronic alcoholics
Deficiency Manifested:
Deficiency of Niacin lead to the clinical condition
called pellagra. Pallagra is characterized by 3 D’s :
• Dermititis: Itchy inflammation of the skin.
• Diarrhea: loose, watery bowel movements
• Dementia: impairment of at least 2 brain function.

12. Vitamin B5: Pantothenic acid
Pantothenic acid is an essential nutrient. Also known
as ‘Filter factor’.
Pantothenic acid is the amide between pantoeic acid
and β-alanine. Helps in the production of CoA.
Its name derives from the Greek pantothen, meaning
"from everywhere", and small quantities of
pantothenic acid are found in nearly every food, with
high amounts in fortified whole-grain cereals, egg
yolks, liver and dried mushrooms.
RDA: 5 mg/day

13. Biochemical function:
Coenzyme A may act as an acyl group carrier to form acetyl-CoA and other related
compounds; this is a way to transport carbon atoms within the cell.
CoA is important in energy metabolism for pyruvate to enter the TCA cycle as acetyl-CoA,
and for α-ketoglutarate to be transformed to succinyl-CoA in the cycle.
CoA is also important in the biosynthesis of many important compounds such as fatty
acids, cholesterol, and acetylcholine. CoA is incidentally also required in the formation of
ACP, which is also required for fatty acid synthesis in addition to CoA.
Vitamin B5 deficiency:
Symptoms of deficiency are similar to other vitamin B deficiencies. There is impaired
energy production, due to low CoA levels, which could cause symptoms of irritability,
fatigue, and apathy. Acetylcholine synthesis is also impaired; therefore, neurological
symptoms can also appear in deficiency; they include numbness, and muscle cramps.
Deficiency in pantothenic acid can also cause hypoglycemia.

14. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is used to collectively represent 3 compounds
namely Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine.
Structurally they are pyridine derivatives.
RDA: 1.5-2 mg/day
The active coenzyme form of B6 is Pyridoxal Phosphate
(PLP) which is synthesized in the intestine from all the 3
forms.
Pridoxal Phosphate, the active coenzyme form of vitamin
B6, is closely associated with the metabolism of amino
acids.
1. Transamination
2. Decarboxylation
3. Heme synthesis
4. Deamination
5. Production of Niacin

15. Causes of Deficiency:
• Isoniazid: Anti-tuberculous drug which
inhibits pyridoxal phosphate formation.
• Oral Contraceptive pills: Binds to pyridoxal
phosphate and inactivates it.
Deficiency Manifested:
• Neurological Manifestation
• Dermatological Manifestation
• Hematological Manifestation

16. Vitamin B7: Biotin
• Biotin is composed of a ureido ring fused with a
tetrahydrothiophene ring. The ureido ring acts as
a carbon dioxide carrier in carboxylation
reactions.
• Biotin is a coenzyme for multiple carboxylase
enzymes, which are involved in the digestion of
carbohydrates, synthesis of fatty acids, and
gluconeogenesis.
• Chicken liver, beef or pork liver, egg yolk, yeast,
avocado, peanuts, salmon, sunflower seeds are
good source of Biotin.
• RDA: 30 micro g/day

17. Deficiency manifested:
Daily consumption of raw egg for several months may
result in biotin deficiency, due to their avidin content.
• Alopecia
• Conjunctivitis
• Dermititis
• Some neurological symptoms: Hallucination and
depression.

18. Vitamin B9: Folic acid
Folic acid is one of the B-complex vitamins required in order to produce red blood
cells. Folic acid is a manufactured form of folate.
Folic acid is composed of three large sub-components. These are the pteridine
ring, para-amino benzoic acid, and glutamic acid. Good sources include: broccoli,
brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables, such as cabbage and spinach, peas, chickpeas,
breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid
RDA: 200 micro g/day

19. Biological functions:
Helps in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material,
especially when cells and tissues are growing rapidly, such as during
infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy. Folic acid works closely with
vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in
the body. Vitamin B9 works with vitamins B6 and B12 and other nutrients
in controlling the blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine.
Deficiency Manifested:
• Macrocytic Anemia: Large distorted RBC with immature
nucleus.
• Neural Tube Defect: Deficiency during early pregnancy
may lead to neural tube defect.

20. Vitamin B12: Cobalamin
Cobalamin, or Vitamin B12, is the largest and the
most complex out of all the types of Vitamins.
It contains a corrin ring with four pyrolle rings and
Cobalt at the centre.
2 active coenzyme forms:
1. Deoxadenosyl cobalamin
2. Methylcobalamin
Absorption of Vit B12 requires a glycoprotein known
as intrinsic factor produced in the stomach in
presence of HCl. Stored in liver in the form of
Deoxadenosyl cobalamin

21. Biochemical Functions:
Synthesis of Methionine from Homocystiene:
Recommended Dietary Allowance for Vitamin
B12: 1-3 micro g/day.
Sources: Naturally found in animal products, including fish,
meat, poultry, eggs, milk and milk products.
RDA: 3 micro g/day

22. Causes of deficiency:
• Nutritional diet
• Malabsorption
• Increased demand
• Pernicious Anemia: production of auto
antibodies against the parietal cells causes
deficiency of IF, causing deficiency of
vitamin B12
Deficiency Manifestation:
• Megaloblastic anemia: bone marrow
produces abnormal structurally large RBCs
• Nervous Manifestation: Psychosis

23. Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid
Vitamin C structurally resembles a carbohydrate (hexose).
Acts as a strong reducing agent
Animals do synthesis vitamin C via Uronic acid pathway
Biochemical functions:
• Required for Hydroxylation of proline and lysine.
Required for Collagen formation
• Antioxidant role: Acts as an antioxidant preventing
tissue injury due to oxidative damage by free radicals.
• Immunological functions: Enhances the synthesis of
Immunoglobulins and increases the phagocytic
function of leukocytes.

24. Good sources include: oranges and orange juice, red and green peppers,
strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, brussels sprouts, potatoes.
RDA: 60-70 mg/day
Deficiency Manifestation:
Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy, with
disturbances in the collagen metabolism, and
to a tendency to bleed.
Disease progression leads to depression,
profound weakness, an inability of wounds to
heal, the loss of all teeth, jaundice and
neuropathy, before death.