Essential nutrient required for carbohydrate metabolism; also involved in nerve function. Biosynthesized by microorganisms and plants. Dietary sources include whole grains, meat products, vegetables, milk, legumes and fruit. Also present in rice husks and yeast. Converted in vivo to thiamine diphosphate, a coenzyme in the decarboxylation of α-keto acids. Chronic deficiency may lead to neurological impairment, beriberi, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Isoln from rice bran: B. C. P. Jansen, W. F. Donath, Chem. Weekbl. 23, 201 (1926). Structure: R. R. Williams, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 58, 1063 (1936); R. R. Williams, J. K. Cline, ibid. 1504; R. R. Williams et al., ibid. 59, 526 (1937). Review of syntheses: Knobloch in H. Vogel, Chemie und Technik der Vitamine vol. II (Stuttgart, 1953) pp 1-128. Toxicity data: D. Winter et al., Int. Z. Vitaminforsch. 37, 82 (1967). HPLC determn in foods, pharmaceuticals, body tissues: T. Kawaski, Methods Enzymol. 122, 15 (1986); in plasma and pharmacokinetics: H. Mascher, C. Kikuta, J. Pharm. Sci. 82, 56 (1993). Review of bioavailability, absorption, and role in nutrition: F. L. Iber et al., Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 36, 1067-1082 (1982). Reviews: “Thiamin: Twenty Years of Progress”, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 378, H. Z. Sable, C. J. Grubier, Eds. (1982) 470 pp; “Thiamin, Vitamin B1, Aneurin” in Vitamins, W. Friedrich, Ed. (de Gruyter, Berlin, 1988) pp 339-401.
Comprehensive description: K. A. M. Al-Rashood et al., Anal. Profiles Drug Subs. 18, 413-458 (1989).
Prepn: R. J. Turner, G. J. Schmitt, US 2844579 (1958 to Am. Cyanamid).
Vitamin (enzyme cofactor).
Enzyme Cofactor; Vitamin/Vitamin Source; Vitamin B1