VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXINE)

CHEMICAL PROFILE AND IDENTIFICATION

Parameter	Information
Product Name	Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine
CAS Number	65-23-6
EC Number	200-603-0
Molecular Formula	C₈H₁₁NO₃
Molecular Weight	169.18 g/mol
Hill Notation	C8H11NO3
MDL Number	MFCD00006335
UNSPSC Code	12352104
PubChem CID	24898690
NACRES	NA.28
Melting Point	159-162°C (decomposes)
Appearance	White to light yellow crystalline powder
Odor	Slightly characteristic
Solubility	Slightly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol

SECTION 1: CHEMICAL IDENTITY AND STRUCTURE

Chemical Names

5-Hydroxy-6-methyl-3,4-pyridinedimethanol
Pyridoxine
2-Methyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine
Vitamin B6

Chemical Structuret

        CH₂OH
         |
    HO ─ C ─ C ─ CH₂OH
         |   |
    H₃C ─ C ─ C ─ H
         |   |
         N   OH

Vitamin B6 Group Components

Vitamin B6 is a group of three related compounds:

Compound	Formula	Description
Pyridoxine	C₈H₁₁NO₃	Main form found in plant sources
Pyridoxal	C₈H₉NO₃	Precursor to the biologically active form
Pyridoxamine	C₈H₁₂N₂O₂	Precursor to the biologically active form
Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (PLP)	C₈H₁₀NO₆P	Biologically active coenzyme form

SECTION 2: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Property	Value
Molecular Weight	169.18 g/mol
Appearance	White to light yellow crystalline powder
Odor	Slightly characteristic
Melting Point	159-162°C (decomposes)
pH (1% solution)	3.0-4.0
Solubility in Water	Slightly soluble (~3.4 g/L at 20°C)
Solubility in Ethanol	Soluble
Solubility in Lipids	Insoluble
pKa	5.0, 8.9
Log P (Octanol-Water)	-0.76
Light Sensitivity	Light-sensitive

SECTION 3: FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN B6

3.1 Biologically Active Form: Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (PLP)

Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) is the biologically active coenzyme form of vitamin B6 and is involved in more than 100 enzymatic reactions in the body:

Function	Description
Amino Acid Metabolism	Synthesis, breakdown, and conversion of amino acids
Neurotransmitter Synthesis	Synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, norepinephrine
Hemoglobin Production	Hemoglobin synthesis in red blood cells
Homocysteine Metabolism	Conversion of homocysteine to cysteine
Lipid Metabolism	Breakdown of fatty acids
Carbohydrate Metabolism	Glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis
Immune Function	Lymphocyte proliferation and antibody production
Gene Expression	Regulation of hormone receptors and gene transcription factors

3.2 Role in Neurotransmitter Synthesis

Neurotransmitter	Role of B6
Serotonin	PLP required for serotonin synthesis from tryptophan (mood, sleep regulation)
Dopamine	Dopamine synthesis from L-DOPA (movement, reward system)
GABA	GABA synthesis from glutamate (inhibitory neurotransmitter)
Norepinephrine	Norepinephrine synthesis from dopamine (stress response)
Melatonin	Melatonin synthesis from serotonin (sleep-wake cycle)

SECTION 4: HEALTH BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B6

Benefit	Description	Evidence Level
PMS Symptom Reduction	50 mg/day B6 improves PMS symptoms by 69% (depression, irritability, fatigue)	Clinical study
Reduced Depression Risk	People with low B6 levels have 2x higher risk of depression	Study on 250 elderly adults
Anemia Treatment	Prevents and treats anemia caused by B6 deficiency through hemoglobin production	Clinical evidence
Macular Degeneration	With folic acid and B12, reduces risk of age-related macular degeneration	Eye studies
Brain and Nervous System	Essential for proper brain development and nervous system function through neurotransmitter synthesis	Biochemical evidence
Immune System	Essential for resistance to infections and diseases	Biochemical evidence

SECTION 5: DAILY VITAMIN B6 REQUIREMENT

Age Group	Daily Requirement (mg)
0-6 months	0.1 mg
7-12 months	0.3 mg
1-3 years	0.5 mg
4-8 years	0.6 mg
9-13 years	1.0 mg
14-18 years (Male)	1.3 mg
14-18 years (Female)	1.2 mg
19-50 years (Male)	1.3 mg
19-50 years (Female)	1.3 mg
51+ years (Male)	1.7 mg
51+ years (Female)	1.5 mg
Pregnancy	1.9 mg
Breastfeeding	2.0 mg

SECTION 6: VITAMIN B6 DEFICIENCY

Causes

Cause	Description
Inadequate Diet	Unbalanced or insufficient nutrition
Malabsorption	Intestinal diseases or malabsorption syndromes
Alcoholism	Alcohol inactivates pyridoxine
Medication Use	Antiseizure drugs, isoniazid, cycloserine, hydralazine, corticosteroids, penicillamine
Hemodialysis	Excessive B6 loss during dialysis

Symptoms

Symptom	Description
Anemia	Fatigue, weakness, pale skin
Skin Rash	Seborrheic dermatitis (scaly, itchy rash on face)
Dry and Cracked Lips	Scaly lips, cracked mouth corners, swollen tongue
Weakened Immunity	Reduced resistance to infections
Numbness and Tingling	Peripheral neuropathy (numbness in hands and feet)
Depression	Mood disorders, irritability
Confusion	Mental confusion, difficulty concentrating
Muscle Weakness	Decreased muscle strength

SECTION 7: FOOD SOURCES OF VITAMIN B6

Animal Sources

Food	B6 Content (per 100g)
Chicken (breast)	0.6-0.8 mg
Turkey	0.4-0.6 mg
Beef	0.3-0.5 mg
Salmon	0.6 mg
Tuna	0.8-1.0 mg
Beef Liver	0.7-1.0 mg
Egg	0.1-0.2 mg

Plant Sources

Food	B6 Content (per 100g)
Chickpeas	0.6-1.0 mg
Potatoes	0.3-0.4 mg
Bananas	0.4-0.5 mg
Avocado	0.2-0.3 mg
Nuts	0.3-0.5 mg
Almonds	0.1-0.2 mg
Lentils	0.3-0.5 mg
Kidney Beans	0.2-0.4 mg
Soybeans	0.2-0.3 mg
Broccoli	0.1-0.2 mg
Mushrooms	0.1-0.2 mg
Garlic	0.1-0.2 mg
Artichoke	0.1-0.2 mg
Whole Grains	0.1-0.3 mg
Fortified Cereals	0.2-0.4 mg
Spinach	0.1-0.2 mg
Carrots	0.1-0.2 mg
Cauliflower	0.1-0.2 mg
Bell Pepper	0.2-0.3 mg
Red Meat	0.3-0.5 mg
Fish (General)	0.3-0.6 mg

SECTION 8: OVERDOSE AND TOXICITY

Parameter	Information
Toxic Dose	>100 mg/day over prolonged period
Upper Tolerable Limit (UL)	Adults: 100 mg/day
Toxic Symptoms	Neuropathy (numbness in hands and feet), photosensitivity, skin lesions
Reversibility	Generally reversible upon dosage reduction

SECTION 9: STORAGE

Parameter	Information
Storage Conditions	Cool (15-25°C), dry, protected from light
Container Requirements	Tightly closed, light-protective packaging
Materials to Protect From	Light, moisture, high temperature
Shelf Life	24-36 months (under proper storage)

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this document is based on our current knowledge and experience and is presented in good faith; however, as all conditions of use are beyond our control, it does not constitute a binding specification or warranty. This Technical Data Sheet is for informational purposes only. This document does not constitute medical advice. For any health-related decisions, consult your physician or healthcare professional. For complete safety, storage, use, and regulatory compliance information, please refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier.

Pyridoxine, Vitamin B6, 65-23-6