CHEMISTRY

PROJECT REPORT

vitamins

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Introduction
Have you ever wondered how we stay
healthy?..the proper answer lies in our balanced diet.our
balanced diet contains all the vital nutrients including
vitamins ,proteins ,carbohydrates
The body needs vitamins to stay healthy
and a varied diet usually gives you all the vitamins you need.
Vitamins do not provide energy (calories) directly, but they do
help regulate energy-producing processes. With the exception
of vitamin D and K, vitamins cannot be synthesized by the
human body and must be obtained from the diet. Vitamins have
to come from food because they are not manufactured or
formed by the body. So lets find out the uses and the
importance of vitamins in our daily life

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Aim

To find out the importance of vitamins in daily life.

To find out how much vitamins are needed for human in
one day.
To find out the sources of vitamins.
To find out the structure of vitamins.
To find out the diseases caused by deficiency of vitamins.

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Vitamins and classification

Vitamins are natural substances found in plants and
animals and known as Essential nutrients for human beings. The
name vitamin is obtained from "vital amines" as it was originally
thought that these substances were all amines. Human body
uses these substances to stay healthy and support its many
functions.
Vitamins are
generally regarded as organic compounds required in
the diet in small amounts to perform specific biological
functions for normal maintenance of optimum growth
and health of the organism.
There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble.
Water-soluble vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body,
so you need to get them from food every day. They can be
destroyed by overcooking. These are easily absorbed by the
body. Human body doesn't store large amounts of water-soluble
vitamins. B-complex vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble
vitamins that are not stored in the body and must be replaced
each day. These vitamins are easily destroyed or washed out
during food storage and preparation. They are eliminated in
urine so, body need a continuous supply of them in diets.
Proper storage and preparation of food can minimize
vitamin loss. To reduce vitamin loss, refrigerate fresh produce,
keep milk and grains away from strong light, and use the
cooking water from vegetables to prepare soups. An excess of
water soluble vitamins should not result in any side effects as
they will disperse in the body fluids and voided in the urine.
Nine of the water-soluble vitamins are known as the
B-complex group: Thiamin (vitamin B1), Riboflavin (vitamin B2),
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Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic acid

and Vitamin C. These vitamins are widely distributed in foods.
Fat-soluble vitamins
The fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K - since
they are soluble in fat and are absorbed by the body from the
intestinal tract. The human body has to use bile acids to absorb
fat-soluble vitamins. Once these vitamins are absorbed, the
body stores them in body fat. When you need them, your body
takes them out of storage to be used. Eating fats or oils that are
not digested can cause shortages of fat-soluble vitamins.
Fat soluble vitamins should not be consumed in excess as they
are stored in the body and an excess can result in side effects.
An excess of vitamin A may result in irritability, weight loss, dry
itchy skin in children and nausea, headache, diarrhea in adults.

Characteristics of the vitamins are:

1. Most of the vitamins have been artificially synthesized.
2. Some of vitamins are soluble in water and others are fatsoluble.
3. Some vitamins are synthesized in the body. Some
members of vitamin B complex are synthesized by
microorganisms in the intestinal tract.
4. Vitamins are partly destroyed and are partly excreted.
5. Vitamins can be stored in the body to some extent, for
example the fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and
subcutaneous tissue.
6. Vitamins can perform their work in very small quantities.
Hence, the total daily requirement is usually very small.

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Action in human body

Nutrient

Action

Daily need

VITAMIN A

Vitamin A helps cell reproduction.

It also stimulates immunity and is
needed for formation of some
hormones. Vitamin A helps vision
and promotes bone growth, tooth
development, and helps maintain
healthy skin, hair, and mucous
membranes. It has been shown to
be an effective preventive against
measles.

10,000 IU/day (plantderived) for adult males.

8,000 for adult females 12,000 if lactating.
4,000 for children ages
1-3
5,000 for children ages
4-6
7,000 for children ages
7-10

Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene
and retinol are all versions of
Vitamin A.

VITAMIN B1
(THIAMINE)

VITAMIN B2
(RIBOFLAVIN)

VITAMIN B6
(PRYIDOXINE)

Vitamin B1/thiamine is important

in the production of energy. It
helps the body cells convert
carbohydrates into energy. It is
also essential for the functioning
of the heart, muscles, and
nervous system.

1.2 mg for adult males

and 1.1 mg for women 1.5 mg if lactating.

Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is
important for body growth,
reproduction and red cell
production. It also helps in
releasing energy from
carbohydrates

1.3 mg for adult males

and 1.1 mg for women 1.5 mg if
pregnant/lactating.

B6 plays a role in the creation of

antibodies in the immune system.
It helps maintain normal nerve
function and acts in the formation
of red blood cells. It is also
required for the chemical

1.3 to 1.7 mg for adults

- 2 mg for women who
are pregnant or
lactating.

Children need .6 to .9
mg of B1/thiamine per
day.

Children need .6 to .9
mg of B2/riboflavin per
day.

Children need between .

6 to 1.3 mg.

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reactions of proteins. The higher
the protein intake, the more need
there is for vitamin B6

VITAMIN B12

Like the other B vitamins, vitamin

B12 is important for metabolism.
It helps in the formation of red
blood cells and in the maintenance
of the central nervous system.

2.4 mcg for adults and

2.6 - 2.8 mcg for women
who are pregnant or
lactating. Children
need .9 - 2.4 mcg per
day.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is one of the most

important of all vitamins. It plays
a significant role as an
antioxidant, thereby protecting
body tissue from the damage of
oxidation.

60 mg for adults - 70
mg for women who are
pregnant and 95 for
those lactating.

Vitamin D is known as the

"sunshine vitamin" since it is
manufactured by the body after
being exposed to sun .Vitamin D
is vital to the human body as it
promotes absorption of calcium
and magnesium, which are
essential for the normal
development of healthy teeth and
bones. It also helps maintain
adequate levels of calcium and
phosphorus in the blood.

5 mg for most adults.

Between 50 - 70 yrs 10
mg, and after 70 15 mg.

VITAMIN E

Like vitamin C, vitamin E plays a

significant role as an antioxidant,
thereby protecting body tissue
from the damage of oxidation. It
is important in the formation of
red blood cells and the use of
vitamin K. Many women also use
it to help minimize the appearance
of wrinkles.

30 IU for most adults.

Children need between
6-11 mg/day. (1 IU is
equal to approximately .
75 mg)

VITAMIN K

Vitamin K is fat soluble and plays

a critical role in blood clotting. It
regulates blood calcium levels and
activates at least 3 proteins
involved in bone health.

70-80 micrograms/day
for adult males, 60-65
micrograms per day for
adult females.

VITAMIN D

Children need between

45 and 50 mg

Children need about 5

mg/day.

Children need about half

the amount, depending

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on age.

Natural sources
Nutrient

Fruit source

Vegetable
source

Nut source

Vitamin A

Most fruits contain

vitamin A, but the
following fruits have
a significant
amount:
Tomatoes
Cantaloupes
Watermelon
Peaches
Kiwi
Oranges
Blackberries

Sweet potato
Kale
Carrots
Spinach
Avocado
Broccoli
Peas
Asparagus
Squash - summer
Green Pepper

Pistachios
Chestnuts
Pumpkin Seeds
Pecans
Pine Nuts/Pignolias
Sunflower Seeds
Almonds
Filberts/Hazelnuts

Vitamin B1

Watermelon

Peas
Avocado

No nuts contain a
significant amount of
vitamin B1.

Vitamin B2

Kiwi

Avocado

No nuts contain a
significant amount of
vitamin B2.

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Vitamin B6

Bananas
Watermelon

Avocado
Peas
Potatoes
Carrots

No nuts contain a
significant amount of
vitamin B6.

Vitamin B12

None

None

No nuts contain a
significant amount of
vitamin B6.

Vitamin C

Kiwi
Strawberry
Orange
Blackberries
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Tomatoes
Lime
Peach
Bananas
Apples
Lemon
Grapes

Artichoke
Asparagus
Avocado
Broccoli
Carrots
Cauliflower
Corn
Cucumber
Green Pepper
Kale
Lima Beans
Mushrooms
Onions
Peas
Potatoes
Spinach
Squash - summer
Squash - winter
Sweet potato

No nuts contain a
significant amount of
vitamin B6.

Vitamin D

None

Mushrooms

No nuts contain a
significant amount of
vitamin B6.

Vitamin E

Blackberries
Bananas
Apples
Kiwi

None

Almonds
Sunflower Seeds
Pine Nuts/Pignolias
Peanuts
Brazil Nuts

Vitamin K

None

Vitamin K is found in
significant quantities
in dark green leafy
vegetables such as
spinach, broccoli,
and kale.

Pine Nuts/Pignolias
Cashews
Chestnuts
Filberts/Hazelnuts

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Structure
Vitamin A
Vitamin A (retinol) is required for the formation of rhodopsin, a
photoreceptor pigment in the retina. Vitamin A helps maintain
epithelial tissues. Normally, the liver stores 90% of the body's
Vitamin A.

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Retinol (Vitamin A)
Vitamin (B1) Thiamin
Thiamin or Thiamine (vitamin B1) is widely available in the diet.
Thiamin is involved in carbohydrate, fat, amino acid, glucose,
and alcohol metabolism.

Thiamin (vitamin B1)

Vitamin (B2) Riboflavin
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is involved in carbohydrate metabolism
as an essential coenzyme in many oxidation-reduction
reactions.

Riboflavin (vitamin
B2)
Vitamin (B6) pyridoxine
Vitamin B6 includes a group of closely related compounds:
pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. Vitamin B6 is important
in the biosynthesis of heamoglobin and nucleic acid, as well as
in lipid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolism.

Pyridoxine
(Vitamin B6)
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Vitamin B12
Cobalamin is a general term for compounds with biologic
vitamin B12 activity. These compounds are involved in nucleic
acid metabolism, methyl transfer, and myelin synthesis and
repair. They are necessary for the formation of normal red blood
cells

Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin
B12)

Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays a role in collagen, carnitine,
hormone, and amino acid formation. It is essential for wound
healing and facilitates recovery from burns. Vitamin C is also an
antioxidant, supports immune function, and facilitates the
absorption of iron.

Ascorbic acid
(Vitamin C)
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Vitamin D
Vitamin D has two main forms: D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3
(cholecalciferol). Vitamin D3 is synthesized in skin by exposure
to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation) and obtained in the diet chiefly
in fish liver oils and egg yolks

Cholecalciferol
(Vitamin D)
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a group of that have similar biologic activities.
These compounds act as antioxidants, which prevent lipid
peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cellular
membranes.

Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Vitamin K
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is dietary vitamin K. Dietary fat
enhances its absorption. Infant formulas contain supplemental
vitamin K.

Vitamin K (phylloquinone)

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Deficiency disease
Vitamin A
Deficiency Disease: Night-blindness and Keratomalacia,
Keratinisation of the nasal and respiratory passage epithelium
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Deficiency Symptoms: Defective Teeth and Gums, Allergies,

Dry Hair, Retarded Growth, Susceptibility to Infections, Night
Blindness, Eye Irritations, Sinus Trouble, Dry Skin, Loss of Smell.
Deficiency Occurs in:
1. People who limit their consumption of liver, dairy foods,
and beta-carotene-containing vegetables can develop a
vitamin A deficiency.
2. Extremely low birth weight babies

Vitamin B1
Deficiency Disease: Beriberi
Deficiency Symptoms:Symptoms include fatigue, depression,
decreased mental functioning, muscle cramps, nausea, heart
enlargement, and eventually beriberi. Alcoholics are at
increased risk of a deficiency.
Deficiency Occurs in:
1. Most commonly found in alcoholics
2. People with Malabsorption conditions
3. Those eating a very poor diet
4. Also common in children with congenital heart disease
5. People with chronic fatigue syndrome
6. Individuals undergoing regular kidney dialysis

Vitamin B2
Deficiency Disease: Ariboflavinosis, Painful tongue and
fissures to the corners of the mouth, chapped lips.
Deficiency Symptoms:
Symptoms include red, swollen, cracked mouth and tongue;
fatigue; depression; anemia; and greasy, scaly skin. The
formation of cataracts may be a result of this vitamin deficiency.
Deficiency Occurs in:
1. Alcoholics
2. People with cataracts or sickle cell anemia
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3. People with chronic fatigue syndrome

Vitamin B6
Deficiency Disease: Anemia
Deficiency Symptoms:
Symptoms include Weakness, Mental Confusion, Irritability,
Nervousness, Inability to sleep, Hyperactivity, Anemia, Skin
lesions, Tongue Discoloration, and Kidney Stones.
Deficiency Occurs in:
1. Alcoholics
2. Patients with kidney failure
3. Women using oral contraceptives
4. People with chronic fatigue syndrome

Vitamin B12
Deficiency Disease:
Megaloblastic or Pernicious Anaemia
Deficiency Symptoms:
Symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, sore mouth,
diarrhea, abnormal gait, loss of sensation in hands and feet,
confusion, memory loss, and depression. Harmful anemia may
be a result of this deficiency.
Deficiency Occurs in:
1. Alcoholics
2. Vegetarians who also avoid dairy and eggs
3. People with malabsorption conditions
4. Older people with urinary incontinence and hearing loss
5. People with tinnitus and related disorders
6. People with psychiatric disorders

Vitamin C
Deficiency Disease: Scurvy
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Deficiency Symptoms:
Prolonged healing of wounds, Easy bruising, Frequent infections,
Prolonged colds, Scurvy: weak muscles, fatigue, loss of teeth,
bleeding gums, depression, bleeding beneath the skin, Swollen
or painful joints, Nosebleeds, Anemia: tired, paleness
Deficiency Occurs in:
1. Smokers
2. Women with Preeclampsia, who have lower blood levels
3. People with kidney failure

Vitamin D
Deficiency Disease: Rickets and Osteomalacia
Deficiency Symptoms:
Symptoms include bone pain and tenderness and Muscle
Weakness. In children, Rickets may occur, in which bones lose
calcium and become soft and curved. Without proper intake,
there is an increased risk of Osteoporosis, Arthritis, and Cancer.
Deficiency Occurs in:
1. More common in strict vegetarians
2. Dark-skinned people
3. Alcoholics
4. People with liver or kidney disease
5. People with hyperparathyroidism
6. Also common in men with advanced prostate cancer

Vitamin E
Deficiency Disease:
Deficiency is very rare; mild hemolytic anemia in newborn
infants
Deficiency Symptoms:
Symptoms include in Infants irritability, Fluid Retention and
Anemia. Adult symptoms may include Lethargy, Loss of balance
and Anemia. There may be increased risk of Heart Disease,
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Cancer, and Premature Aging with marginal deficiencies.

Deficiency Occurs in:
1. People with a genetic defect in a vitamin E transfer protein
called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
2. Women with Preeclampsia
3. Very old people with type 2 diabetes

Vitamin K
Deficiency Disease:
Bleeding Diathesis, Delayed clotting & Hemorrhaging,
Cholestatic Constipation, Patients may show signs of bruising
easily and have nosebleeds.
Deficiency Symptoms:
Symptoms include prolonged clotting time, easy bleeding, and
bruising. This deficiency is rare in adults and normally limited to
those with liver or food absorption disorders. However, it may
occur in premature babies.
Deficiency Occurs in:
1.

People with certain Mal absorption diseases

2. Hospitalized patients who had poor food intake and were

receiving antibiotics
3.

Sometimes develop in breast-fed infants.

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Pictures of deficiency diseases

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Night blindness(vitamin A)
B1)

Beriberi(vitamin

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Anemia (vitamin B6)

Anemia (vitamin B12)

Pernicious

Scurvy(vitamin C)
Rickets(Vitamin D)

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How to overcome these

deficiency
Food
The best method available to overcome these
deficiency is by proper diet which includes proper amounts
of vegetables, fruits and some amount of meat.

Medicine
To avoid the deficiency of any Vitamin B we can
use B complex. Vitamin B complex is a group of 12 related
water-soluble substances. The eight water-soluble vitamins
including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3),
pantothenic acid (B5), biotin (B7), pyridoxine (B6), folic
acid (B9), and cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12).

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Additional information
Vitamin Facts
1. A lot of the vitamins in fruits and vegetables are lost
between the farm and your plate. The longer the foods are
stored before you eat them, the more nutrients are lost.
Heat, light, and exposure to air all reduce the amount of
vitamins, especially Vitamin C, thiamin, and folic acid.
2. About 25% of US households do not have balanced meals
to meet the requirements that the body needs in digesting
enough nutrients to sustain the body's health and fuel
factors.
3. Research has shown that almost all varieties of disease can
be produced by the deficiency of vitamins, minerals, amino
acids, and other nutrients. Vitamins are vital for your skin.
The most important factor of nutritional deficiencies is the
intense processing and refining of foods like cereals and
sugar.
4. The human body uses food to manufacture all its building
blocks as well as to provide fuel. To do this, it performs
several thousand different chemical reactions. Each
reaction is controlled by "enzymes" and "coenzymes".
Some of the coenzymes contain vitamins which the body
cannot make by itself and which must be obtained from
outside the body.

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Conclusion
Vitamins are in every aspect
essential to our life. First of all vitamin is that component of a
balanced diet which the human body generally cannot
manufacture on its own. So you must consume vitamin directly
in the form of food or through supplements as tonic or pills. The
whole process of assimilation of vitamins depends on ingestion
of food. Once you have it as a part of your meal, say for
tomatoes, lemon, spinach and other stuffs, it is more helpful.
To maintain a healthy life we
must use regular proper balanced diet.the diet must contain
vegetables, fruits, meat The body's metabolism is also
dependent on vitamins as on carbohydrates, fats, minerals and
other basic components of a complete diet.
Always remember that vitamins are not
food but should be a part of your food.

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