The name riboflavin signifies two terms ribo means ribose side chain and flavo means yellow due to its yellow color appearance. Riboflavin gives rise to two co enzyme derivatives, FMN (Flavin mononucleotide) and FAD (Flavin adenine dinucleotide).

DATS of Riboflavin
DATS (DIGESTION, ABSORPTION, TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE) OF VITAMIN-B2 riboflavin

Sources:

Riboflavin are present in a wide variety of food but especially those of animal and animal origin products. Milk, egg, cheese, legumes gives large amount of this vitamin. Green leafy vegetables like spinach are also the good source. Fruits and cereal grains contribute to minor amount of dietary riboflavin.

RDA (recommended dietary allowances):

The recommended dietary allowances are different for the individuals of different age groups. RDA for males, females and children are:

Gender

RDA

Men

1.3mili gram

Women

1.1mili gram

Children

0.3-0.4mili gram

 

Functions of vitamin B2 in Human body:

Vitamin B2 performs many important roles in human body these are:

It is helpful in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

It plays a vital role in growth, cell repair and development of body tissues, healthy skin, tongue and eyes.it is also necessary for normal embryo development.

This vitamin is considered as the principal growth monitoring factor in B-complex vitamins.

DATS (digestion, absorption, transportation and storage) of vitamin B2:

Digestion:

Riboflavin in food is present as FMN, FAD and it covalently attached to proteins freed by the action of hydrochloric acid secreted in the stomach and by gastric and intestinal enzymes used for the hydrolysis of proteins.

Within the intestinal lumen FAD is first converted into FMN by the action of FAD Pyro phosphatases. This FMN are than hydrolyzed to its simplest form riboflavin which are than absorb in human body through intestinal cells. Other intestinal phosphatases such as nucleotide diphosphatases and alkaline diphosphatases are used for the conversion of FAD and FMN into its simplest absorbable form.

Absorption:

Researches have showed that not all bound riboflavin is hydrolyzed and available for absorption. A small amount of FAD is covalently bound to either of two amino acids histidine and cysteine this complex is secreted unchanged in the urine. Generally the animal sources of riboflavin are thought to be better absorbed than plant sources. In plant sources divalent metals such as zinc, phosphorous and iron are bind with riboflavin and FMN that prevents its absorption.

At low concentration absorption occurs through diffusion however at lower concentration sodium dependent transporters are required for its absorption.

Transportation:

Most of this protein in plasma are found as riboflavin although all three may be present. riboflavin, FMN and FAD are transported in the plasma by a variety of proteins include albumin, fibrinogen and riboflavin. Albumin appears to be the primary protein for its transportation. Immunoglobulins used Flavin to activate anti body defense of body.

Storage:

Although riboflavin is a water soluble vitamin and it does not stored in human body. However in all body organs the greatest concentration of this vitamin are appears in liver, kidneys and heart. The storage form of this vitamin is FAD however FMN and riboflavin may also be present.

Deficiency:

Deficiency of vitamin B5 leads to arbinoflavinosis. After inadequate intakes of 4 months this vitamins lead to its deficiency symptoms. It is characterized by sore tongue (glottis), lesions on the outside of the lips (cheilosis), dermatitis and peripheral nerve damage.

It also effects the function of B6 and synthesis of niacin from tryptophan.

Toxicity:

No toxicity has been detected.

Hormonal Regulation:

Synthesis of FMN and FAD appears to be under hormonal control. hormones shown to be particular in this regulation are ACTH, Aldosterone and Thyroid hormone. All of these hormones appears to convert the Riboflavin into its co enzyme forms, apparently by increasing the activity of kinase.