Title:Vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B9 – Occurrence, Biosynthesis Pathways and Functions in Human Nutrition
Volume: 17
Issue: 12
Author(s): Natalia Wolak, Marcin Zawrotniak, Mariusz Gogol, Andrzej Kozik and Maria Rapala-Kozik*
Affiliation:
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow,Poland
Keywords:
Folate, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B9.
Abstract: Background: Vitamins are chemical compounds whose derivatives are involved in vital
metabolic pathways of all living organisms. The complete endogenous biosynthesis of vitamins can be
performed by many bacteria, yeast and plants, but humans need to acquire most of these essential nutrients
with food. In recent years, new types of action of the well-recognized vitamins or their more sophisticated
relationships have been reported.
Objectives: In this review we present the current knowledge of factors that can influence the yield and
regulation of vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B9 biosynthesis in plants which can be important for human nutrition.
A summary of modern methods applied for vitamin analysis in biological materials is also provided.
Contributions of selected vitamins to the homeostasis of the human organism, as well as their
relations to the progress or prevention of some important diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases,
diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease are discussed in the light of recent investigations. Better understanding
of the mechanisms of vitamin uptake by human tissues and possible metabolic or genetic
backgrounds of vitamin deficiencies can open new perspectives on the medical strategies and biotechnological
processes of food fortification.
