Pantothenic acid-Pantothenic acid is one of the B complex vitamins, and is composed of a dihydroxydimethylbutyric acid linked to a molecule of Beta-alanine. Pantothenic acid functions as a component of Coenzyme A. Coenzyme A is responsible for carrying acyl compounds as thiol esters. There are many types of coenzyme A structures. Fatty acyl CoA, succinyl CoA, and acetyl CoA are but some of the possible coenzyme A structures.

Pantothenic acid is also a component of the enzyme, fatty acid synthase.

Sources of pantothenic acid

Pantothenic acid is found in many foods, especially, liver, eggs and yeast.

RDA of pantothenic acid

The estimated RDA for pantothenic acid is 4-7 mg/day.

Deficiency of pantothenic acid

Pantothenic acid deficiency in humans has not been fully elucidated yet. It may exist in conjunction with other vitamin deficiencies, being masked by their symptoms.