Today is our topic of discussion Folic acid
Folic acid
Definition
“Folate” (vitamin B9) refers to the many forms of folic-acid and its related compounds, including tetrahydro folic-acid (the active form), methyl tetrahydrofolate (the primary form found in blood), Metheny tetrahydrofolate, folinic acid, folacin, and pteroylglutamic acid. Historic names included L. casei factor, vitamin Bc and vitamin M.
The terms “folate” and “folic acid” have somewhat different meanings in different contexts, although sometimes used interchangeably. Within the field of organic chemistry, folate refers to the conjugate base of folic-acid. Within the field of biochemistry, folates refer to a class of biologically active compounds related to and including folic acid.
Within the field of nutrition, the “folates” are a family of essential nutrients related to folic-acid obtained from natural sources whereas the term “folic acid” is reserved for the manufactured form that is used as a dietary supplement.
Chemically, folates consist of three distinct chemical moieties linked together. A pterin (2-amino-4-hydroxy-pteridine) heterocyclic ring is linked by a methylene bridge to a p-aminobenzoyl group that in turn is bonded through an amide linkage to either glutamic acid or poly-glutamate.
One-carbon units in a variety of oxidation states may be attached to the N5 nitrogen atom of the pteridine ring and/or the N10 nitrogen atom of the p-aminobenzoyl group.
Sources:
Animal sources –
Liver, kidney, milk, egg, beef etc.
Vegetable sources –
Leafy vegetables, disso azitool beans, nuts, cabbage, sweet potato, banana, tomato etc.
Functions of folic acid:
1. Essential for maturation of RBC.
2. Necessary for the synthesis of DNA and RNA.
3. It acts as coenzyme in various metabolic reactions.
Effects of deficiency:
1. Megaloblastic anaemia
2. Deficiency of maternal folic-acid may result in neural tube defect of the fetus.
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