Vitamins are organic molecules that are essential micronutrients obtained through diet. They serve as cofactors for enzymatic reactions in the body. There are two types of vitamins - fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K which are stored in the body, and water soluble vitamins like the B complex and C which are not stored. Vitamins play important roles like vision, bone formation, acting as antioxidants, and blood clotting. Deficiencies can result in various diseases which were addressed with the identification and isolation of vitamins in the early 1900s.

1. Vitamins

2. • Organic molecules with a wide variety of functions
Essential, supplied in the diet
• Cofactors for enzymatic reactions
•
• Two distinct types: Fat soluble (A, D, E, K)
What are vitamins?
• Water soluble (B – complex, C)
Vitamins are organic molecules that are essential for normal
health and growth. They are required in trace amounts and must
be obtained from the diet because they are not synthesized in the
body. Before vitamins were discovered, it was known that lime
juice prevented the disease scurvy in sailors and that cod liver oil
could prevent rickets. In 1912, scientists found that, in addition to
carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, certain other factors called
vitamins must be obtained from the diet.

3. Why are they good for us?
Greater need due to
worse environment
Improved immunity
Prevent illnesses
Slower aging

5. Soluble in aqueous
solutions
Used as cofactors by
many enzymes
Not stored in the body
Water-
soluble
vitamins

7. K
Are A, D, E, and K.
A
Soluble in lipids, but not in
aqueous solutions
Important in vision, bone
formation, antioxidants, and
blood clotting
D
E
Stored in the body
Fat-Soluble Vitamins

8. Fat-Soluble Vitamins

9. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Was the first B vitamin identified
Is part of the coenzyme thiamine pyrophosphate(TPP)
TPP coenzyme is required by enzymes in the decarboxylation of
-keto carboxylic acids.
Deficiency results in beriberi (fatigue, weight loss, and nerve
degeneration).

10. Influences saccharide metabolism
Reduces fatigue
Is destroyed by severe washings
of rice and vegetables
Severe deficiency leads to beri-
beri
Sources: yeasts, cereals,rice,
liver, legumes
Thiamine

11. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
0
55%
Made of the sugar alcohol ribitol and flavin
Part of the coenzymes flavin
N
N
HH3C
H3C N N O
CH2 CH CH
OH OH
adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN).
30%
Needed for good vision and healthy skin
O.
D-Ribitol
CH CH2 OH
OH

12. Saccharide and lipid metabolism
Curing of skin diseases
Support of sight function
Light sensitive
Sources: cerals, eggs, vegetables, dairy products, yeast, liver

13. Niacin (Vitamin B3)
• Is part of the coenzyme
nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide (NAD+)
involved in oxidation-
reduction reactions.
• Deficiency can result in
dermatitis, muscle
fatigue, and loss of
appetite.
• Is found in meats, rice,
and whole grains.

14. Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
• Is part of coenzyme A needed for energy production as well as
glucose and cholesterol synthesis.
• Deficiency can result in fatigue, retarded growth and anemia.
• Part of coenzymeA
• Reduces stress, prevents tiredness
•
•
Necessary for formation of glycogen, fatty acids, steroid hormones
Sources: whole grains, and vegetables ,eggs,liver, heart, yeast
O
C N CH2 CH2 C OH
H
CH3 OH O
HO CH2 C CH
CH3

15. Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
• Pyridoxine and pyridoxal are two forms of vitamin B6,
which are converted to the coenzyme pyridoxal
phosphate (PLP).
• PLP is required in the transamination of amino acids and
decarboxylation of carboxylic acids.
• Deficiency of pyridoxine may lead to dermatitis, fatigue,
and anemia.

16. Pyridoxine
• Amino acids and protein
metabolism
• Cure of anemia
• Erythropoiesis
• Antibody formation
• Sources: meat, fish,
liver, vegetables, cerals,
yolk, legumes

17. Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)
• Consists of four pyrrole
rings with a Co2+.
• Is a coenzyme for
enzymes that transfer
methyl groups and
produce red blood cells.
• Deficiency can lead to
pernicious anemia and
nerve damage.

18. Cyanocobalamin
• Formation of red
blood cells
• Maintenance of
neuronal tissue
• Cure of neuro
diseases, anemia
• Sources: dairy
products, meat,
poultry, sea
products

19. Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
• Is required in collagen
synthesis.
• Deficiency can lead to
weakened connective
tissue, slow-healing
wounds, and anemia.
• Is found in Indian
gooseberries,
blueberries, citrus fruits,
tomatoes, broccoli, red
and green vegetables.
O
CH2OH
CHOH
OHHO
O

20. Vitamin C
• Hormone, collagen
synthesis
• Infection resistance, cure
of cuts
• Hypervitaminosis:
addiction, diarrhea
• Hypovitaminosis: scurvy
• Source: fruits,vegetables

21. Vitamin A
• Vitamin A is obtained from meats and
beta-carotenes in plants.
• Beta-carotenes are converted by liver
enzymes to vitamin A(retinol).
H3C CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3 CH3
H3C CH3
H3C
CH3 CH3
CH2OH
H3C CH3
CH3
Beta-carotene
CH3
Retinol (vitaminA)

22. 2222
Vitamin A and Provitamin A
Retinol
• Cancer cure and prevention
• Skin, eyes, genital glands
• Provitamin changes to A vitaminin
liver
• Sources: liver, egg yolks, dairy
products
• Provitamin A sources: carrots,
pepper, spinach, yellow fruits

24. Vitamin D
Vitamin D (D3):
• Is synthesized in skin
exposed to sunlight.
• Regulates the
absorption of
phosphorus and calcium
during bone growth.
• Deficiency can result in
weakened bones.
• Sources include cod
liver oil, egg yolk, and
enriched milk.

25. Vitamin D
• Calciferols
• the "sunshine vitamin" (UV rays)
• regulation of calcium metabolism
• sources: yeasts, fish, yolks, dairy products

26. Vitamin E
O
• Is an antioxidant in cells.
• May prevent the oxidation of
unsaturated fatty acids.
• Is found in vegetable oils, whole grains,
and vegetables.
CH3
HO
H3C
CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3 CH3 CH3

27. Vitamin E
Tocoferols
• Antioxidant (lipid protection)
• improves immunity
• Cures muscle, heart and skin diseases,
burns
• Sources: green vegetables, vegetable oil,
corn, eggs, bread, dairy products, peas,
beans

28. Vitamin K
• Vitamin K1 in plants has a saturated side
chain.
• Vitamin K2 in animals has a long
unsaturated side chain.
• Vitamin K2 is needed for the synthesis of
zymogens for blood clotting.
3
CH3
O
O CH3
CH3
n
CH3
Vitamin K2 (menaquinone)
CH3
CH3
O
O CH3 CH3
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone)

29. Vitamin K
• Blood clotting
• Higher need by newborns, people with
liver diseases, or fat malabsorbtion
• Sources: green fruits and vegetables,
tomatoes, soy, beef liver, yolks, wheat,
butter, cheese

30. Recommended Values:
Daily values [mg]:
1-3
30 - 200
25 - 200
30 - 100
20 - 500
10 - 15
5 - 8
300 - 5000
2 - 12 g
10
400 - 2000
Vitamin:
A (retinol)
B1 (thiamine)
B2 (riboflavin)
B3 (niacin, niacinamid)
B5 (Pantothenic acid)
B6 (pyridoxine)
B12 (Cynocobalamine)
H (Biotin)
C (Ascorbic acid)
D (cholecalciferol)
E (tokoferol)
K 80

31. Thank You!