Vitamin (B6), Pyridoxine, 2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-bis(hydroxy-methyl)pyridine, is essential for protein metabolism, and for the formation of haemoglobin - the pigment in the blood that carries oxygen round the body. Pyridoxine is needed by rats to cure dermatitis developed on a Vitamin B -free diet supplemented by thiamine and riboflavin. Its absence from diet is also associated with anaemia. It is needed also by certain bacteria.
The related compounds pyridoxamine and pyridoxal, in which the CH2OH group in the 4-postion is replaced by CH2NH2 and CHO respectively, also posses vitamin B6 activity and for certain bacteria are much more active than pyridoxine.
Good sources of Vitamin B6 are rice husks, maize, wheat germ, yeast and other sources of vitamin B.
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Vitamin B6 -3D structure |
Vitamin B6 -2D structure - Colourless needles m.p. 160oC., C8H11NO3 |
