What is "pantothenic acid"

n. (context vitamin English) A water-soluble antioxidant vitamin needed for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins; it is found in cereals, legumes, meat and other foods.

n. a vitamin of the vitamin B complex that performs an important role in the oxidation of fats and carbohydrates and certain amino acids; occurs in many foods [syn: pantothen]

Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B (a B vitamin), is a water-soluble vitamin. Pantothenic acid is an essential nutrient. Animals require pantothenic acid to synthesize coenzyme-A (CoA), as well as to synthesize and metabolize proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The anion is called pantothenate.

Pantothenic acid is the amide between pantoic acid and β-alanine. Its name derives from the Greek pantothen , meaning "from everywhere", and small quantities of pantothenic acid are found in nearly every food, with high amounts in avocado, whole-grain cereals, legumes, eggs, meat, royal jelly, and yogurt. It is commonly found as its alcohol analog, the provitamin panthenol (pantothenol), and as calcium pantothenate. Pantothenic acid is an ingredient in some hair and skin care products.

Pantothenic acid was discovered by Roger J. Williams in 1933.