Vitamins synthesis by intestinal bacteria

Although, by definition, vitamins required by man cannot be synthesized within the tissues, it is important to note that bacteria within the gut can synthesis many of the vitamins required by man. The human intestinal bacteria can synthesize vitamin K, a member of the naphtoquinone family.

Vitamin K2 also called menaquinone also is a product of metabolism of most bacteria including the normal intestinal bacteria of most higher animal species. The vitamin K bacterial reactions occur, in part, in the ileum, where the menaquinone is absorbed.

Among bacteria involve in synthesizing vitamin K are: Bacteroides spp., Eg. Lenta, Propionibacterium spp., Veillonella spp., staphylococci, enterococci enterobacteria.

Most of the vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) required by humans comes indirectly from the meat and milk of ruminants. The synthesis of B12 is ruminant is exclusively bacterial origin. It appears most of the bacterially formed B12 I human occurs in the large bowel. It was demonstrated that E. coli, Bifidobacterium spp., Veillonella spp., Fusobacterium spp., Eurobacterium spp., and Clostridium spp., among the bacteria that synthesized B12 in the small intestine.

Folic acid and thiamine B complex vitamins are also synthesized by bacteria in the intestinal tract. Other vitamins synthesized by intestinal bacteria are:
*Biotin
*Folic acid (B2)
*Pantothenic acid (B5)
*Niacin (B3)
*(Pyridoxine) B6
Vitamins synthesis by intestinal bacteria

B-complex vitamins function as co-enzyme

Water soluble vitamins include the B-complex vitamins (thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B6 folate, vitamin B12) and vitamin C.

All the vitamins of the B-complex are known to function as co-enzymes. Co-enzyme functions, however, have not been defined for the fat-soluble vitamins or for ascorbic acid.

Co-enzymes are substances found in food that are necessary for an enzyme to function. They are organic compounds, often B-vitamin derivatives that combine with an inactive enzyme to form and active one. Since human bodies cannot manufacture co-enzymes, it must be obtained from the diet.

Vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate function as con-enzymes involved in one-carbon metabolism. Vitamin B12 is a cofactor for two enzymes, methionine synthase and 1-methylmalonyl-CoA. These enzymes are essential for blood formation and neurologic function.

Other B-complex vitamins are:
Thiamin (B1) – co-enzyme functions in metabolism chain of carbohydrates and branched amino acids
Riboflavin (B2) – co-enzyme functions in oxidation and reduction reaction
Niacin – Co-substrate/co-enzyme for hydrogen transfer with numerous dehydrogenases
Pantothenic acid - constituent of co-enzyme A and phosphopantetheine involved in fatty acid metabolism
Biotin –con-enzyme functions in bicarbonate-dependent
B-complex vitamins function as co-enzyme

B complex vitamin of Inositol

Inositol is a vitamin-like substance. Sometimes it referred to as Vitamin B8, is a water soluble substance that is required by the body for the formation of healthy cells.

It is a carbocyclic polyols compound required for cell growth and survival that is incorporated into lung cell membranes and serves as a precursor for surfactant synthesis.  It has many duties including helping to transmit nerve signals and preventing the buildup of fats in the liver and other organs.

The nine isomers of inositol are ubiquitous cyclic carbohydrates with a basic 6-carbon rung structure.

Three forms of inositol occur in nature: phytic acid, free myo-inositol, and inositol-containing phospholipid.

Inositol is synthesized easily by almost all higher vertebrates and has long been known as a vitamin in arthropods, including the crustaceans.

Inositol is manufactured naturally in the human body by the action of beneficial bacterial in the gut on the fiber in plants, and it is also found in healthy amounts in legumes and whole grains and in lecithin.  Breast milk is a rich source of inositol as well as meats and dairy products.

It is the only ‘vitamin’ which has an energetic value.
B complex vitamin of Inositol 

Biotin in general

Biotin is a water soluble vitamin that is generally classified in the B complex group.

Biotin is reported to be coenzyme in the synthesize of aspartic acid, which plays a part in a deaminase system and in other processes involving the fixation of carbon dioxide.

Biotin concentration in plasma are small relative those of other water soluble vitamins. Most biotin in plasma is free, dissolved in the aqueous phase of plasma.

Deficiency of this compound is unusual, but can be demonstrated by the feeding of raw egg white, which contains the substance, avidin, which ties up biotin.

Because some anticonvulsant drugs breakdown biotin, people who take then for long periods also risk a deficiency.

Infants born with biotinidase deficiency suffer from a rare genetic defect that leads to biotin depletion.

Deficiency of biotin cause scaling skin, skin lesions, and a deterioration of nerve fibers.

Due to production of biotin by the microbial flora of the intestine, the requirement for this compound is not known.

The deficiency also can delay growth and development.

Biotin is widely distributed in foods and feedstuff, but mostly in very low concentration.

Liver is an excellent source of biotin, and peanuts, peas, beans and whole cooked eggs are good sources.

Most fruits and meats rank as poor source.
Biotin in general

Deficiency of Biotin

Biotin is a water soluble vitamin that is generally classified in the B complex group. This B complex vitamin used in the formation of enzymes that fuel the human body.

Biotin is a key factor in metabolizing and utilizing fats an glucose for energy.

Deficiency of this compound is unusual, but can be demonstrated by the feeding of raw egg white, which contains the substance, avidin, which ties up biotin.

Because some anticonvulsant drugs breakdown biotin, people who take then for long periods also risk a deficiency.

Biotin deficiency also has been clearly demonstrated in biotinidase deficiency. This due to several process which involved gastrointestinal absorption, salvage of biotin at cellular level and renal loss of biocytin.

Infants born with biotinidase deficiency suffer from a rare genetic defect that leads to biotin depletion.

Decreased levels of biotin cause the metabolism to become severely impaired. When enzymes aren’t available to breakdown and build up protein, every biochemical process of the body suffers since protein are the essential building blocks of cellular composition.

The clinical findings and biochemical abnormalities caused by biotinidase deficiency are quiet similar to those of biotin deficiency: common finding include periorificial dermatitis, conjunctivitis, alopecia, ataxia, and development delay.
Deficiency of Biotin