title: Vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B9 - Occurrence, Biosynthesis Pathways and Functions in Human Nutrition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitamins are chemical compounds whose derivatives are involved in vital metabolic pathways of all living organisms. The complete endogenous biosynthesis of vitamins can be performed by many bacteria, yeast and plants, but humans need to acquire most of these essential nutrients with food. In recent years, new types of action of the well-recognized vitamins or their more sophisticated relationships have been reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this review we present the current knowledge of factors that can influence the yield and regulation of vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B9 biosynthesis in plants which can be important for human nutrition. A summary of modern methods applied for vitamin analysis in biological materials is also provided. Contributions of selected vitamins to the homeostasis of the human organism, as well as their relations to the progress or prevention of some important diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease are discussed in the light of recent investigations. Better understanding of the mechanisms of vitamin uptake by human tissues and possible metabolic or genetic backgrounds of vitamin deficiencies can open new perspectives on the medical strategies and biotechnological processes of food fortification.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wolak
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow. Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zawrotniak
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gogol
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kozik
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rapala-Kozik
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001682:Biological Availability; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013831:Thiamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D009536:Niacinamide; D005492:Folic Acid; D012256:Riboflavin; D013831:Thiamine
keywords: Folate; niacin; riboflavin; thiamine; vitamin B1; vitamin B2; vitamin B3; vitamin B9