Vitamin B biosynthesis in plants

The vitamin B complex comprises water-soluble enzyme cofactors and their derivatives that are essential contributors to diverse metabolic processes in plants as well as in animals and microorganisms. Seven vitamins form this complex: B-1 (thiamin (1)), B-2 (riboflavin (2)), B-3 (niacin (3)), B-5 (pantothenic acid (4)), B-6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal (5), and pyridoxamine), B-8 (biotin (6)), and B-9 (folate, (7)). All seven B vitamins are required in the human diet for proper nutrition because humans lack enzymes to synthesize these compounds de novo. This review aims to summarize the present knowledge of vitamin B biosynthesis in plants. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.