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Riboflavin, commonly known as vitamin B2, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in energy production and overall metabolism.
It is involved in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy and also supports the proper function of the skin, eyes, and nervous system.
Riboflavin is commonly found in foods such as dairy products, eggs, green leafy vegetables, and enriched cereals.
CAS Number: 83-88-5
Synonyms:
Vitamin B2,Lactoflavin,Ovoflavin,E101 (as a food additive),Riboflavine, 7,8-dimethyl-10-ribityl-1,3,6,7-tetrahydropteridine-2,4-dione
Introduction
Overview: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2, E101) is a water-soluble vitamin essential for the maintenance of health.
It was first identified in the 1920s and plays a crucial role in energy production and cell function. It is vital for growth, the maintenance of skin health, and the synthesis of red blood cells.
Historical Development: Riboflavin was discovered by Richard Kuhn in the early 1930s, and its role in human health was soon recognized.
The discovery of its deficiency disease, ariboflavinosis, highlighted its importance.
Significance in Biochemistry: Riboflavin is required for the synthesis of two major coenzymes, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which are involved in numerous enzymatic reactions in the body.
Chemical Structure and Properties
Chemical Structure: Riboflavin has a bicyclic structure, consisting of a flavin group (isoalloxazine ring) attached to a ribityl side chain.
This structure allows riboflavin to participate in redox reactions.
Molecular Weight: Riboflavin has a molecular weight of 376.4 g/mol.
Physical Properties: It is a yellow-orange crystalline compound, soluble in water but not in fats or oils. It is sensitive to light and may degrade under UV light exposure.
Solubility: Riboflavin is highly soluble in water but is insoluble in organic solvents.
Stability: The compound is stable in acidic and neutral environments but can break down under alkaline conditions or when exposed to light.
Biosynthesis and Sources
Biosynthesis: Riboflavin is synthesized in the liver and other tissues through complex enzymatic pathways involving microorganisms in the digestive tract.
The biosynthetic pathway in microbes is well studied.
Natural Sources: Riboflavin is found in a wide range of food sources.
Animal-based sources include milk, eggs, liver, and other meats. Plant-based sources include green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals, and nuts.
Fortification and Supplements: Riboflavin is commonly added to foods such as breakfast cereals and energy drinks to prevent deficiencies. It is also available as a dietary supplement.
Function in the Body
Coenzyme Role: Riboflavin is a precursor of FMN and FAD, which act as coenzymes in numerous biological reactions, including the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Energy Production: Riboflavin plays a central role in the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain, which are essential for energy production at the cellular level.
Antioxidant Function: As a part of the redox reaction process, riboflavin contributes to the body’s defense against oxidative stress by helping enzymes in cellular detoxification processes.
Immune System Support: Riboflavin has a role in maintaining immune system function and promoting healthy skin and mucous membranes.
Metabolism and Absorption
Absorption: Riboflavin is absorbed primarily in the small intestine through active transport mechanisms involving specialized carrier proteins.
The absorption efficiency can decrease with age or certain health conditions.
Transport and Storage: After absorption, riboflavin is transported to the liver and other tissues, where it is converted into FMN and FAD.
The body has a limited storage capacity for riboflavin, so regular intake is necessary.
Excretion: Excess riboflavin is excreted in the urine, giving it a characteristic yellow color.
Deficiency and Related Disorders
Deficiency Symptoms: Riboflavin deficiency leads to a range of symptoms including sore throat, cracks around the lips (cheilosis), inflammation of the tongue (glossitis), and a sore, red, and swollen throat.
Ariboflavinosis: This is the clinical manifestation of riboflavin deficiency, characterized by skin lesions, sore throat, and eye problems.
Risk Factors: Certain populations, such as the elderly, pregnant women, or people with chronic alcohol use, are at higher risk for riboflavin deficiency.
Treatment: Riboflavin supplementation or dietary adjustments are the primary treatment for deficiency.
Supplementation and Uses
Dietary Supplements: Riboflavin is available as part of multivitamins or as an isolated supplement.
It is often used to treat or prevent deficiency.
Therapeutic Uses: Riboflavin supplementation has been studied for its role in migraine prevention, reducing the frequency of headaches in certain individuals.
Antioxidant and Detoxification: Studies have suggested that riboflavin plays a role in reducing oxidative stress and promoting detoxification.
Industrial Production
Production Methods: Riboflavin is produced commercially using microbial fermentation processes. Strains of microorganisms like Ashbya gossypii and Brevibacterium are commonly used for large-scale production.
Raw Materials: The primary raw materials for production include glucose and other carbon sources, as well as nitrogen compounds to support microbial growth.
Quality Control: Industrial production methods include stringent quality control measures to ensure that the riboflavin produced meets regulatory standards for food and pharmaceutical applications.
Applications in Food and Cosmetics
Food Coloring (E101): Riboflavin is used as a natural food colorant (E101) in products like dairy, beverages, and processed foods.
It provides a yellow hue and is recognized as safe by food regulatory authorities.
Food Fortification: Riboflavin is added to flour, cereals, and milk to prevent deficiency in populations with limited access to natural sources.
Cosmetics and Skin Care: Riboflavin is used in some cosmetics for its role in skin health and as an antioxidant. It is often included in formulations for its potential to enhance skin regeneration.
Regulatory Aspects
Global Regulations: Riboflavin is recognized as safe by regulatory agencies such as the FDA, EFSA, and WHO. Its use as a food additive (E101) is regulated based on its safe consumption levels.
Labeling Requirements: Foods and supplements containing riboflavin must meet specific labeling requirements that indicate its presence and the amount per serving.
Environmental Impact
Production Waste: The industrial production of riboflavin can generate waste, which needs to be managed properly to prevent environmental contamination.
Efforts are underway to make production processes more sustainable.
Sustainability: Newer methods in riboflavin production, including the use of genetically engineered strains of bacteria, may lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly methods.
Disposal: Riboflavin is biodegradable and does not persist in the environment, but the management of manufacturing by-products is essential for minimizing ecological footprints.
Alternative Sources and Synthetic Methods
Natural vs. Synthetic Riboflavin: Riboflavin from natural sources, such as dairy products and leafy greens, provides essential benefits.
However, synthetic riboflavin produced by fermentation remains the primary commercial source.
Comparison of Production Methods: Natural riboflavin requires harvesting and processing of foods, while synthetic production via fermentation is a more cost-effective, scalable process.
Emerging Biotechnologies: Advances in biotechnology, including metabolic engineering and fermentation optimization, are improving the efficiency of riboflavin production and offering new avenues for more sustainable practices.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT E101 RIBOFLAVIN
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
