Pyridoxine or Vitamin B₆ is one of the 8 water-soluble B-vitamins, acts as an enzyme cofactor involved in some 140 biochemical reactions including α-decarboxylations, transaminations, aldol cleavages, racemisation and is part of the metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates such as sugar and proteins as well as red and white blood cells. It is a vitamin that can be easily destroyed by alkalis and light.

Industrially, it appears as a white powder that is water- and ethanol-soluble and stable in acid solution.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Hair conditioning agent. A large number of ingredients with specific purposes can co-exist in a hair shampoo: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, mattifying agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersing agents that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioners includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners.

Antistatic agent. Static electricity build-up has a direct influence on products and causes electrostatic adsorption. The antistatic ingredient reduces static build-up and surface resistivity on the surface of the skin and hair.

Skin conditioning agent - Miscellaneous.  This ingredient has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing its flakiness and restoring its elasticity.

Medical

In the human body it is found in the form of phosphate ether

• insulin producer
• producer of red and white blood cells
• synthesis of neurotransmitters, enzymes, prostaglandins
• antioxidant
• antihyperglycemic

• Cereals
• Bananas
• spinach
• peas
• Brewer's yeast
• carrots
• eggs
• Fish
• Meat
• etc.

Pyridoxine studies

Molecular Formula: C₈H₁₁NO₃

Molecular Weight: 169.18 g/mol

UNII: KV2JZ1BI6Z

CAS: 65-23-6  2087491-32-3  8059-24-3

EC Number: 200-603-0  232-503-8

PubChem Substance ID 24898690

MDL number MFCD00006335

Synonyms:

• Pyridoxine
  
• 3-hydroxy-4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridine
  
• Pyridoxol
  
• 3,4-Pyridinedimethanol, 5-hydroxy-6-methyl-
  
• 3-Hydroxy-4,5-dimethylol-alpha-picoline
  
• 5-Hydroxy-6-methyl-3,4-pyridinedimethanol
  
• 2-Picoline-4,5-dimethanol, 3-hydroxy-
  
• 4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridin-3-ol
  
• 2-Methyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine
  
• 2-Methyl-4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-3-hydroxypyridine
  
• (5-Hydroxy-6-methylpyridine-3,4-diyl)dimethanol
  
• 4,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-3-pyridinol
  
• 2-Methyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-dihydroxymethyl-pyridin 
  
• 4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-pyridin-3-ol