Scientific Name of Vitamins and their Sources is a vital topic under general science sections of almost all competitive exams. In the below chart, we have provided the Scientific Name of Vitamins along with Sources and solubility of vitamins.
Table of Contents
What are Vitamins?
• A Vitamin is an organic compound that is needed in small amounts for the proper functioning of all the biological activities of a living organism.
• Adequate amounts of essential nutrients (Like vitamins) cannot be synthesized in the organism, and therefore must be obtained through food.
• Due to the small amount needed, vitamins are often considered as micronutrients. They play an important role in our body functions like metabolism, immunity and digestion.
• The term “vitamin” was derived from “vitamine, Here ‘vita’ means ‘life’.
• The word ‘Vitamine’ coined in 1912 by the Polish biochemist Casimir Funk.
• An English biochemist “Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins” in the year 1929 was awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of vitamins.
Classification Of Vitamins
• Based on physical and biological activity, Vitamins are classified as either water-soluble or fat-soluble.
Fat-soluble vitamins:
In humans 4 fat-soluble vitamins are _
1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin D
3. Vitamin E
4. Vitamin K
Water-soluble vitamins
In humans 9 Water-soluble vitamins are_
1. Biotin.
2. Niacin.
3. Pyridine.
4. Thiamine.
5. Vitamin C.
6. Folic acid.
7. Riboflavin.
8. Vitamin B12.
9. Pantothenic acid.
Chemical or Scientific Name of Vitamins and their Sources
The table below gives complete information about the different types of vitamins, the source of the vitamins and the scientific names of the vitamins.
| Common Name | Solubility | Chemical Name | Food Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Fat-soluble | Retinol | Carrot, Broccoli,Milk, Spinach, tomatoes, Egg yolk, Fish, Butter |
| Vitamin C | Water-soluble | Ascorbic acid | Green Chilli, Lettuce, Beans, Fresh citrus fruits such as orange and Amla |
| Vitamin D | Fat-soluble | Calciferol | Cod liver oil, Fish, beef, egg yolk, liver, chicken breast and cereals. |
| Vitamin E | Fat-soluble | Tocopherol | Vegetable oils like Cotton seed oil, Sunflower oil, Lettuce, Egg, Milk |
| Vitamin K | Fat-soluble | Phylloquinone | Pork liver oil, Leafy vegetables, Cabbage, Broccoli, Beef and lamb. |
| Vitamin B1 | Water-soluble | Thiamine | Cashew Nuts, Corn, Wheat flour, Cabbage, Milk, Meat |
| Vitamin B2 | Water-soluble | Riboflavin | Sprouted gram and wheat , Beef liver, Milk, Mushrooms, Bananas. |
| Vitamin B3 | Water-soluble | Niacin | Molasses, Green Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Liver, Egg yolk, Mushrooms, Milk Products |
| Vitamin B5 | Water-soluble | Pantothenic Acid | Yoghurt, egg yolk, Meat, Broccoli, Kidney, Peanuts, Chicken, Milk, legumes, mushrooms, avocado |
| Vitamin B6 | Water-soluble | Pyridoxine | Food crops, Sprouted Seed, Meat, mushrooms, Leafy vegetables |
| Vitamin B7 | Water-soluble | Biotin | Cereals, Yeast, Cauliflower, Peas, egg yolk, Milk, Tomatoes |
| Vitamin B9 | Water-soluble | Folic Acid | Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beets |
| Vitamin B12 | Water-soluble | Cyacobalamin | Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk |
