Heat and light tend to destroy B vitamins. Deficiency leads to beriberi in humans and to polyneuritis in birds. Good sources include brewer's yeast, wheatgerm, beans, peas, and green vegetables. It is a constituent of the coenzymes FAD and FMN, which have an important role in the metabolism of all major nutrients as well as in the oxidative phosphorylation reactions of the electron transport chain . Deficiency of B 2 causes inflammation of the tongue and lips and mouth sores.
Deficiency causes retarded growth, dermatitis, convulsions, and other symptoms.
Liver is especially rich in it. Other vitamins in the B complex include nicotinic acid , pantothenic acid , biotin , and lipoic acid . A Dictionary of Science, Oxford University Press 5. All rights reserved.