A STUDY ON BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE AND STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION OF VITAMINS- A REVIEW

Abstract

Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are three major classes of food. To remain healthy, we must take in relatively large amounts of these substances. They are not, however, the nutrients we require, some of our needs are satisfied only by vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B1 may occur in the nature as free compound as in the form of its salts, Vitamin B1 – protein complex, pyrophosphate (co-carboxylase) and as vitamin B¬1 – Phosphorus – protein complex. The relative amount of each form depends upon the source. Actually the word vitamin B6 refers to a group of three compounds, namely, pyridoxine (or) adermin, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine which are interconvertible in the form of their phosphates but as pyridoxine is the first member of this group it is alone also known as vitamin B6 as the vitamin is antidermatitic factor for rats, it is also known as adermin. Biotin is a heterocyclic sulfur containing monocarboxylic acid, the structure is formed by fusion of imidazole and thiophene rings. Biotin is covalently bound to €-amino groups of lysine to form biocytin in the enzymes. b - Biotin occurs mainly in combined forms bound to protein through the -N-lysine moiety. To avoid deficiency and its causes there is a need of the study of its significance and structure.