Riboflavin  also known as Vitamin B2 was discovered in 1879 in milk in the form of a yellow pigment. It is an essential organic compound that plays a crucial role in numerous biological processes. It is a water-soluble vitamin and part of the B-vitamin complex, which is essential for energy production and general cellular function.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Riboflavin has the chemical formula C₁₇H₂₀N₄O₆. It is composed of a ribitol side chain and a flavin ring system. The compound's structure includes a complex aromatic ring and several hydroxyl groups, contributing to its stability and reactivity.

Physical Properties

Riboflavin typically appears as a yellow to orange-yellow crystalline powder. It is slightly soluble in water and ethanol but more soluble in dilute alkaline solutions. Riboflavin exhibits strong fluorescence, especially under ultraviolet light, which is often used as a characteristic identification property.

Biological Importance

• energy production with carbohydrate conversion.
• processing of amino acids and fats.
• activation of folic acid and vitamin B6 functions.
• controls proper functioning of the intestines, skin and mucous membranes.

Energy Production: Riboflavin is a precursor of the coenzymes flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). These coenzymes are crucial for the oxidative phosphorylation process, where ATP is produced in mitochondria, supplying energy to cells.

Antioxidant Function: Riboflavin plays a significant role in maintaining the body's antioxidant defense system. It helps in the metabolism of glutathione, an important antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress.

Metabolism of Other Nutrients: Riboflavin is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It assists in the conversion of these macronutrients into energy, supporting overall metabolic functions.

Cellular Growth and Function: Riboflavin is vital for normal cell growth, development, and function. It supports skin health, maintains mucous membranes, and is essential for the health of the eyes, nerves, and liver.

Dietary Sources and Supplementation

Riboflavin is found in various foods, including dairy products, eggs, lean meats, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Due to its water-soluble nature, it is not stored in significant amounts in the body and must be consumed regularly through diet or supplements.

Chemical Industrial Synthesis Process

Preparation of reagents. The main raw materials include thioaniline and concentrated sulfuric acid.

Synthesis of thioindigoid intermediate. The production of CI 73385 begins with the reaction of thioaniline with concentrated sulfuric acid to form a thioindigoid intermediate.

Condensation. The thioindigoid intermediate is condensed with additional aromatic derivatives under controlled conditions to form the basic structure of the thioindigoid dye.

Oxidation. The condensed structure is oxidized using an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, to form the thioindigoid chromophore, which is responsible for the coloring properties of CI 73385.

Purification. The crude CI 73385 product is purified using techniques such as crystallization, filtration, and chromatography to remove impurities and achieve a high-purity colorant.

Stabilization. The purified CI 73385 is stabilized to ensure its stability during transportation and storage, preventing degradation and oxidation.

Quality control. The CI 73385 undergoes rigorous quality testing to ensure it meets standards for purity, color intensity, and safety. These tests include chemical analysis, spectroscopy, and microbiological testing.

Industrially it appears in the form of a water-soluble, thermostable, brown-colored powder.

What it is used for and where

Medical

It is widely used in medicine for the treatment of:

• Migraine (1)
• Cataracts
• Cornea (2)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Some skin diseases
• Lack of Complex II , a rare disease (3)
• Cancer prevention (4)
• Parkinson's disease (5)

Food

In the food industry it is labeled with the number E101 in the list of European food additives, a food additive whose function is to color foods deep yellow.

Cosmetics

Restricted cosmetic ingredient as  IV/145 a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported:

• Riboflavin. Wording of conditions of use and warnings:  Purity criteria as set out in Commission Directive 95/45/EC (E101)

Cosmetics - INCI Functions

• Colorant. This ingredient has the function of colouring the solution in which it is inserted in a temporary, semi-permanent or permanent manner, either alone or in the presence of the complementary components added for colouring.
• Skin conditioning agent - Miscellaneous.  This ingredient has the task of modifying and improving the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry, reducing flaking and restoring its elasticity.

Riboflavin is sometimes included in cosmetic formulations for its beneficial effects on skin health. It helps maintain healthy skin and can be found in various skin care products.

The most relevant studies on this vitamin have been selected with a summary of the contents:

Vitamina B2 studi

Safety 

Does not cause toxicity. Riboflavin is generally considered safe and is not associated with toxicity at typical dietary intake levels. Excess riboflavin is excreted in the urine, giving it a bright yellow color, which is a harmless side effect. As an environmentally friendly compound, riboflavin poses no significant risk to ecosystems or human health when used appropriately.

This is the opinion of EFSA :

Il gruppo EFSA ANS fornisce un parere scientifico che riesamina la sicurezza della riboflavina (E 101 (i)) e della riboflavina-5'-fosfato sodico (E 101 (ii)) che sono autorizzati come additivi alimentari nell'UE e sono stati precedentemente valutati da JECFA e dall'SCF. JECFA ha assegnato un' ADI per riboflavina e riboflavina-5'-fosfato sodico di 0-0,5 mg/kg bw/die. L' SCF ha ritenuto che l'uso di riboflavina-5'-fosfato sodico come colore alimentare non dovrebbe alterare in modo significativo l'assunzione media giornaliera di riboflavina per la quale non è stata stabilita alcuna ADI. Il gruppo di esperti scientifici non è stato fornito di un dossier presentato di recente e ha basato la sua valutazione sulle valutazioni precedenti, sulla letteratura aggiuntiva che è divenuta disponibile da allora e dai dati disponibili in seguito a una chiamata pubblica per i dati. Il gruppo di esperti scientifici ha ritenuto che la riboflavina-5'-fosfato sodico sia rapidamente defosforilata alla riboflavina libera nella mucosa intestinale e quindi metabolizzata mediante normali vie metaboliche. Il gruppo di esperti scientifici ha osservato che non sono stati osservati effetti negativi in due studi di 90 giorni nel ratto e che la riboflavina e la riboflavina-5'-fosfato non sollevano preoccupazioni rispetto alla genotossicità. Il gruppo di esperti scientifici ha altresì notato che esistono dati limitati da studi clinici in cui non sono stati riportati effetti negativi significativi. Il gruppo di esperti scientifici ha ritenuto che l'uso di riboflavina come additivi alimentari comporterà un'esposizione superiore a quella della dieta regolare e che il database disponibile non sia sufficiente per valutare se gli alti potenziali potenziali di tutte le fonti combinate abbiano effetti negativi o meno. A causa dell'assenza di studi di tossicità cancerogena/cronica e della mancanza di rilevanti studi di tossicità riproduttiva e di sviluppo, il gruppo di esperti scientifici ha ritenuto che non sia opportuno assegnare un' ADI. Il gruppo di esperti scientifici ha concluso, malgrado le incertezze della base di dati, che la riboflavina (E 101 (i)) e la riboflavina-5'-fosfato sodico (E 101 (ii)) non sono di preoccupazione per la sicurezza degli usi e dei livelli d'uso attualmente autorizzati come additivi alimentari (6).

Molecular Formula     C₁₇H₂₀N₄O₆

Molecular Weight     376.369 g/mol

CAS    83-88-5   13123-37-0

EC number:   201-507-1

UNII    TLM2976OFR

DTXSID8021777

Synonyms: 

• Lactoflavin
• Riboflavine
• Riboflavin
• Vitamin B2
• Food Yellow 15
• C.I. Food Yellow 15
• 7,8-Dimethyl-10-(D-ribo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxypentyl)isoalloxazine
• D-Ribitol, 1-deoxy-1-(3,4-dihydro-7,8-dimethyl-2,4-dioxobenzo(g)pteridin-10(2H)-yl)-
• Isoalloxazine, 7,8-dimethyl-10-(D-ribo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxypentyl)-
• 1-Deoxy-1-(3,4-dihydro-7,8-dimethyl-2,4-dioxobenzo[g]pteridin-10(2H)-yl)-D-ribitol
• Ovoflavin

References___________________________________________________________________

(1) Sun-Edelstein C, Mauskop A. Foods and supplements in the management of migraine headaches.  Clin J Pain. 2009 Jun;25(5):446-52. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31819a6f65. Review. 

Abstract. Objective: Although a wide range of acute and preventative medications are now available for the treatment of migraine headaches, many patients will not have a significant improvement in the frequency and severity of their headaches unless lifestyle modifications are made. Also, given the myriad side effects of traditional prescription medications, there is an increasing demand for "natural" treatment like vitamins and supplements for common ailments such as headaches. Here, we discuss the role of food triggers in the management of migraines, and review the evidence for supplements in migraine treatment....Conclusions: The identification of food triggers, with the help of food diaries, is an inexpensive way to reduce migraine headaches. We also recommend the use of the following supplements in the preventative treatment of migraines, in decreasing order of preference: magnesium, Petasites hybridus, feverfew, coenzyme Q10, riboflavin, and alpha lipoic acid.

(2) Meek KM, Hayes S. Corneal cross-linking - a review.  Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2013 Mar;33(2):78-93. doi: 10.1111/opo.12032.

(3) Jain-Ghai S, Cameron JM, Al Maawali A, Blaser S, Mackay N, Robinson B, Raiman J. Complex II deficiency-A case report and review of the literature.  Am J Med Genet A. 2013 Feb;161(2):285-94. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.35714.  

(4) Wojcieszyńska D, Hupert-Kocurek K, Guzik U. Flavin-dependent enzymes in cancer prevention.   Int J Mol Sci. 2012 Dec 7;13(12):16751-68. doi: 10.3390/ijms131216751.

Abstract. Statistical studies have demonstrated that various agents may reduce the risk of cancer's development. One of them is activity of flavin-dependent enzymes such as flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)(GS-OX1), FAD-dependent 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and flavin-dependent monoamine oxidase. In the last decade, many papers concerning their structure, reaction mechanism and role in the cancer prevention were published. In our work, we provide a more in-depth analysis of flavin-dependent enzymes and their contribution to the cancer prevention. We present the actual knowledge about the glucosinolate synthesized by flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)(GS-OX1) and its role in cancer prevention, discuss the influence of mutations in FAD-dependent 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase on the cancer risk, and describe FAD as an important cofactor for the demethylation of histons. We also present our views on the role of riboflavin supplements in the prevention against cancer.

 (5) Coimbra CG, Junqueira VB. High doses of riboflavin and the elimination of dietary red meat promote the recovery of some motor functions in Parkinson's disease patients.  Braz J Med Biol Res. 2003 Oct;36(10):1409-17.  doi: 10.1590/s0100-879x2003001000019. 

Abstract. Abnormal riboflavin status in the absence of a dietary deficiency was detected in 31 consecutive outpatients with Parkinson's disease (PD), while the classical determinants of homocysteine levels (B6, folic acid, and B12) were usually within normal limits. In contrast, only 3 of 10 consecutive outpatients with dementia without previous stroke had abnormal riboflavin status. The data for 12 patients who did not complete 6 months of therapy or did not comply with the proposed treatment paradigm were excluded from analysis. Nineteen PD patients (8 males and 11 females, mean age +/- SD = 66.2+/-8.6 years; 3, 3, 2, 5, and 6 patients in Hoehn and Yahr stages I to V) received riboflavin orally (30 mg every 8 h) plus their usual symptomatic medications and all red meat was eliminated from their diet. After 1 month the riboflavin status of the patients was normalized from 106.4+/-34.9 to 179.2+/-23 ng/ml (N = 9). Motor capacity was measured by a modification of the scoring system of Hoehn and Yahr, which reports motor capacity as percent. All 19 patients who completed 6 months of treatment showed improved motor capacity during the first three months and most reached a plateau while 5/19 continued to improve in the 3- to 6-month interval. Their average motor capacity increased from 44 to 71% after 6 months, increasing significantly every month compared with their own pretreatment status (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Discontinuation of riboflavin for several days did not impair motor capacity and yellowish urine was the only side effect observed. The data show that the proposed treatment improves the clinical condition of PD patients. Riboflavin-sensitive mechanisms involved in PD may include glutathione depletion, cumulative mitochondrial DNA mutations, disturbed mitochondrial protein complexes, and abnormal iron metabolism. More studies are required to identify the mechanisms involved.

(6)  EFSA DOI: 10.2903 / j.efsa.2013.3357