Pantothenic Acid: Vitamin B5

Published: November 25, 2022

Avocados are a good source of pantothenic acid

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B₅) is also known as pantothenate.

This vitamin is formed from beta alanine (an amino acid) and pantoic acid (an alpha hydroxyl acid) and is a water soluble vitamin.

Pantothenic acid may not be as well-known as other B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₁₂, and folate).

However, pantothenic acid plays a major role in a multitude of essential metabolic reactions.

Functions

Pantothenic acid, along with cysteamine, is essential for the synthesis of coenzyme A.

Coenzyme A is essential for:

Nutrient metabolism energy production
Synthesis of lipids, neurotransmitters, steroid hormones and hemoglobin
Acetylation of sugars and proteins within your body which may delay degradation
Influences the activity, location and function of protein in cells
Acetylation of DNA binding proteins
Acetylation of choline to neurotransmitter acetylcholine
Acetylation of amino sugars glucosamine to N-acetyl glucosamine and galactosamine to N-acetyl galactosamine: These amino sugars act within cells to direct proteins for membrane function.

CoA = Adenosine 3’, 5’ bisphosphate + Pantothenic Acid + Beta-mercaptoethylamine and is involved in over 100 different metabolic reactions.

CoA is a carrier for the following carboxylic acids: malonic, propionic, methylmalonic, and succinic.

These carboxylic acids are formed during various metabolic reactions. For example:

Catabolism (break down) of several amino acids: methionine, threonine, valine and isoleucine
Catabolism of odd-chain fatty acids (the carbon backbone of the fatty acid has an odd number of carbons)
Ingestion of food (some fish contain propionic acid)

Follow the link to the full article to learn more about the essentiallity of pantothenic acid.

Gropper, S.S., Smith, J.L. & Groff, J.L. (2005). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism (4thEd.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Whitney, E. & Rady Rolfes, S. (2005). Understanding Nutrition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth