Principles of Biochemistry

10.1. Vitamins-Water Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic nutrients that are required in small quantities for a variety of biochemical functions and which, generally, cannot be synthesized by the body and must therefore be supplied by the diet. According to solubility they are classified into i(1) water soluble and (2) fat soluble vitamins.

(1) Water Soluble Vitamins

The water-soluble vitamins consist of the B vitamins and vitamin C.

The B vitamins essential for human nutrition are

(1) Thiamine (vitamin B₁)

(2) Riboflavin (vitamin B₂)

(3) Niacin (nicotinic acid, nicotinamide)(vitamin B₃)

(4) Pantothenic acid (vitamin B₅)

(5) Vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine)

(6) Biotin

(7) Vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin), and

(8) Folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid)

(9)Inositol

(10) Choline