Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 25 : Riboflavin

Physiological and biochemical functions

The various functions of riboflavin are as follows:

 

• Riboflavin deficiency affects primarily the octodermal tissues producing lesions of the skin, eye and nervous system.
• Riboflavin is concerned in the regulatory functions of some hormones involved in carbohydrate metabolism. The administration of insulin is effective in depancreatised dogs only when riboflavin and thiamine are fed at the same time.
• The retina contains free riboflavin which is converted by light to a compound involved in stimulation of the optic nerve
• Riboflavin plays an important role in many enzyme systems involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Riboflavin mono nucleotide (FMN) and riboflavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) are part of the enzymes or act as co-enzymes, for the metabolism of the macro molecules.