Theme XIII: Vitamins

Pantothenic acid or vitamin B5. Description, chemical formula, role and characteristics. Sources of pantothenic acid.

Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid

It is another B complex vitamin and its name derives from the Greek referring to its vast presence in the plant and animal kingdom.

The lack of pantothenic acid give rise to functional deficits in the human body since it´s especially important in the formation of coenzyme A, which is involved in numerous reactions of intermediary metabolism, converting carbon chains to acetyl groups, essentials in release energy from carbohydrates.

Pantothenic acid takes part in the metabolism of fatty acids and in the synthesis of compounds such as sterols, hormones, porphyrins and acetylcholine.

The most abundant sources of pantothenic acid are eggs, liver, yeast, cereals and vegetables.

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GRAPH

Other B Vitamins

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B12

Folic Acid

See also

Introduction to vitamins

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Vitamin K

Vitamin H

Carbohydrates