Riboflavin and its functions

Riboflavin also known as vitamin B2, is a vitamin found in foods and sold as a dietary supplement.It is essential for the formation of two major coenzymes, flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide.These coenzymes are involved in energy metabolism, cellular respiration and antibody production, as well as normal growth and development.Coenzymes are also required for the metabolism of niacin, vitamin B6, and folic acid.Riboflavin for the treatment of corneal thinning, oral administration may reduce the incidence of migraine in adults.Riboflavin deficiency is rare and is usually accompanied by deficiencies of other vitamins and nutrients. It can be prevented or treated with oral supplements or injections.As a water-soluble vitamin, any intake of riboflavin in excess of nutritional requirements is not stored; it is either not absorbed, or is absorbed and rapidly excreted in the urine, resulting in a bright yellow color.Natural sources of riboflavin include meat, fish and poultry, eggs, dairy products, green vegetables, mushrooms and almonds. Some countries require it to be added to grains.

Riboflavin was discovered in 1920, isolated in 1933, and first synthesized in 1935.In purified solid form, it is a water-soluble yellow-orange crystalline powder.In addition to its function as a vitamin, it is also used as a food coloring agent.Biosynthesis occurs in bacteria, fungi, and plants, but not in animals.Industrial synthesis of riboflavin was initially achieved through chemical processes, but current commercial manufacturing relies on fermentation methods using fungal strains and genetically modified bacteria.

Definition

Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is a water-soluble vitamin and one of the B vitamins Unlike folic acid and vitamin B6, they exist in multiple chemically related forms called vitamin The vitamin, riboflavin is just one compound.It is the starting compound for the synthesis of coenzyme flavin mononucleotide (FMN, also known as riboflavin 5′-phosphate) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). FAD, the more abundant form of flavin, has been reported to bind to 75% of flavin-dependent protein-coding genes in the genomes of all species (flavin proteome) and acts as a coenzyme for 84 human-encoded flavins.The percentage of protein.

Purified solid form riboflavin is a yellow-orange crystalline powder with a slight odor and bitter taste.Soluble in polar solvents such as water and sodium chloride aqueous solution, slightly soluble in alcohol.It is insoluble in nonpolar or slightly polar organic solvents such as chloroform, benzene or acetone.In solution or during dry storage as a powder, riboflavin is heat stable unless exposed to light. Decomposes when heated, releasing toxic fumes containing nitric oxide.

Functions

Riboflavin is essential for the formation of two major coenzymes, FMN and FAD.These coenzymes are involved in energy metabolism, cellular respiration, antibody production, growth and development.Riboflavin is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.FAD helps convert tryptophan to niacin (vitamin B3) and FMN is required for the conversion of vitamin B6 to the coenzyme pyridoxal 5′-phosphate.Riboflavin is involved in maintaining normal circulating levels of homocysteine; in riboflavin deficiency, homocysteine levels are elevated, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.