Niacin natural forms

Niacin, a member of the B-complex, is a collective term which includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, both natural forms of the vitamin with equal niacin activity. In the body, they are active as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) and serve as coenzymes, often in partnership with thiamin and riboflavin coenzymes, to produce energy within the cells, precisely when needed and in the amount necessary. 

Both nicotinic acid and nicotinamide have been assayed by chemical and biological methods. Owing to the fact that niacin is found in many different forms in nature, it is important to indicate the specific analyte in question. For example, if biological assay procedures are used, it is necessary to indicate whether the analysis is to determine the quantity of nicotinic acid or if niacin activity is the desired result of the analysis. If nicotinic acid is desired, then a method specific for nicotinic acid should be used. If quantitation of niacin activity is the desired outcome, then all compounds (bound and unbound) which behave like niacin will assay biologically for this substance (1). 

Rice bran is the richest natural source of B-complex vitamins. Considerable amounts of thiamin (Bl), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5) and pyridoxin (B6) are available in rice bran (Table 17.1). Thiamin (Bl) is central to carbohydrate metabolism and kreb s cycle function. Niacin (B3) also plays a key role in carbohydrate metabolism for the synthesis of GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor). As a pre-cursor to NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-oxidized form), it is an important metabolite concerned with intracellular energy production. It prevents the depletion of NAD in the pancreatic beta cells. It also promotes healthy cholesterol levels not only by decreasing LDL-C but also by improving HDL-C. It is the safest nutritional approach to normalizing cholesterol levels. Pyridoxine (B6) helps to regulate blood glucose levels, prevents peripheral neuropathy in diabetics and improves the immune function. 

Niacin is present in foods mainly as coenzyme NAD and NADP, which are hydrolyzed in the intestine, and it is adsorbed as nicotinamide or nicotinic acid. The free forms, nicotinamide and nicotinic acid, only allowed to be added in fortified foods [403], occur naturally in limited amounts. Instead, niacin occurs as nicotynil ester bonded to polysaccharides, peptides, and glycopeptides. In general, niacin is widespread in foodstuffs (cereals, seeds, meat, and fish). High concentrations are present in roasted coffee beans as a primarily product of the roasting process [417]. 

Vitamin B6 occurs naturally in three related forms pyridoxine (6.26 the alcohol form), pyridoxal (6.27 aldehyde) and pyridoxamine (6.28 amine). All are structurally related to pyridine. The active co-enzyme form of this vitamin is pyridoxal phosphate (PLP 6.29), which is a co-factor for transaminases which catalyse the transfer of amino groups (6.29). PLP is also important for amino acid decarboxylases and functions in the metabolism of glycogen and the synthesis of sphingolipids in the nervous system. In addition, PLP is involved in the formation of niacin from tryptophan (section 6.3.3) and in the initial synthesis of haem. 

The niacin vitamers in foods include nicotinic acid and nicotinamide (Fig. 4), which occur in limited quantities in the free form, and their coenzymes, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) (93,96). The nicotinic acid analog of NAD as well as nicotinamide and nicotinic acid mononucleotides also occur in nature. In addition, niacin occurs as nicotinyl esters bound to polysaccharides, peptides, and glycopep-tides, which are known as niacytin and niacynogens, respectively. In general, the niacin vitamers in cereal grains and other seeds are principally the nicotinic acid forms, whereas those in meat and fish are primarily the nicotinamide forms (94,95). 

Since the human body produces neither nicotinic acid nor the amide, it is dependent on intake via foodstuffs. Although niacin is found in a bound form naturally in wheat, yeast and pork and beef liver, most niacin today is produced synthetically by chemical oxidation of alkyl pyridines. To demonstrate the economic significance of this, in 1995 worldwide a total of 22 000 metric tonnes of niacin and niacinamide were produced. Today between 35 000 and 40 000 tonnes are produced and the demand for nicotinates is rising. Thus, both economic and ecological factors play a significant role. 

Sources. Niacin and substances that are convertible to niacin are found naturally in meat (especially red meat), poultry, fish, legumes, and yeast. In addition to preformed niacin, some L-tryptophan found in the proteins of these foods is metabolized to niacin. Niacin is also present in cereal grains, such as corn and wheat. However, consumption of corn-rich diets has resulted in niacin deficiency in certain populations. The reason for this is that niacin exists in cereal grains in bound forms, such as the glycoside niacytin, which exhibit little or no nutritional availability. Interestingly, niacin deficiency is not common in Mexico and Central America even though the diets of those in these countries are based on com. Alkaline treatment, such as soaking corn in a lime solution—the process used by the populations of Mexico and Central America in the production of com tortillas—yields release of bound niacin and increased availability of the vitamin. 

Both free nicotinic acid and free niacinamide occur naturally in foods but, more commonly, niacin occurs in foods in various chemically bound forms. 

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