Vitamin B5 - pantothenic acid

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Occurrence and structure

Pantothenic acid is found in both animal and vegetable products, especially abundant in egg yolks, liver and kidneys. It is also produced by our intestinal bacteria. It is made up of beta-alanine and pantoic acid.
Vitamin B5 is also contained in: Nuts, rice, fruits, vegetables and brewer's yeast

function

Its most important function is as part of Coenzyme A, the end Pantothenic acid, Cysteine and ATP consists. Coenzyme A is used to activate many substrates because it contains an energy-rich thiol (SH) group. For example, fatty acids are activated (Acyl-CoA) or acetate to acetyl-CoA, which is a key substrate of the entire metabolism.

Deficiency symptoms

They are very rare there Pantothenic acid is widespread. When they are present, primarily fat metabolism, protein synthesis and that Nervous system affected as the Neurotransmitters Acetylcholine Acetyl-CoA and choline is produced.

Overview of vitamins

Water-soluble (hydrophilic) vitamins:

  • Vitamin B1 - thiamine
  • Vitamin B2 - riboflavin
  • Vitamin B3 - niacin
  • Vitamin B5 - pantothenic acid
  • Vitamin B6 - pyridoxal / pyridoxine / pyridoxamine
  • Vitamin B7 - biotin
  • Vitamin B9 - folic acid
  • Vitamin B12 - Cobalamin

Fat-soluble (hydrophobic) vitamins:

  • Vitamin A - retinol
  • Vitamin C - ascorbic acid
  • Vitamin D - calcitriol
  • Vitamin E - tocopherol
  • Vitamin K - phylloquinone / menaquinone