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Pantothenic Acid Chemical Structures Food Sources Pantothenic Acid in the Body Stability Synthesis Home Page Pantothenate Crystals Copied without permission from Roche Product Information

Pantothenic Acid Pantothenic acid, one of the water soluble B-vitamins, is essential in the body as a constituent of coenzyme A. Together with mercaptoethylamine, pantothenic acid makes up pantetheine. Pantetheine and adenosine-3',5'-diphosphate combine to give coenzyme A, which is important for synthesis of: Fatty acids Polyketides Terpenoids Steroids "Pure pantothenic acid is a viscous hygroscopic oil that is chemically not very stable."(1) In supplements it is usually included as calcium pantothenate (a solid, highly water soluble salt) or as pantothenol (an alcohol Fig.2). Did You Know? coenzyme A (coenzyme of acetylation) is required for many acyl group transfer reaction pathways. Top Chemical Structures Fig.1 The Chemical Structure of Pantothenic Acid 3D Structure of Pantothenic Acid Fig.2 The Chemical Structure of Pantothenol Did You Know? Pantothenol is added to hair products as a moisturiser and conditioner. Top Principal Sources in Food Pantothenic acid is present in highest concentrations in: Organ meats such as: Heart Brain Liver Kidney Yeast Extract More common dietary sources are: Dairy Products Pulses Legumes Eggs Vegetables Whole Grain Cereals Top Pantothenic Acid in the Body As part of coenzyme A, panthothenic acid is essential for: Cellular metabolism Production of: Sterols such as cholesterol Hormones Neurotransmitters (e.g. acetylcholine) Phospholipids Porphyrin (constituent of haemoglobin) Antibodies Top Stability Pantothenic acid is easily destroyed by heat in acidic or alkaline conditions, but is stable in a neutral solution. Top Synthesis Condensation of D-pantolactone with P-alanine produces pantothenic acid and the addition of a calcium salt forms colourless calcium pantothenate crystals. Top (1) Source: Roche Product Information

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