Vitamins Scientific Names: Both, animals and plants have common names and scientific names too. Similarly, all known vitamins have their own scientific names. Vitamins are referred to as organic compounds that our body needs in small quantities, hence, they are referred to as micronutrients. The human body can only acquire vitamins through the food we eat. They play important functions and essential roles in our body functions like metabolism, immunity and digestion.
Vitamin is a group of substances required for normal cell function, growth and development. These are essential nutrients that should be added to our daily diet in adequate amounts. Vitamin is a Greek word – “vita” – life and “amine” – which refers to the compound found in thiamine, which was isolated from rice bran. There are 13 essential vitamins these are Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, etc.
Vitamins Scientific Names and their Sources
| Vitamins Scientific Names | ||
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Food Sources |
| Vitamin A (Fat-soluble) | Retinol | Green leafy vegetables, nuts, tomatoes, oranges, ripe yellow fruits, milk, guava, carrots, broccoli, watermelon and liver. |
| Vitamin B1 (Water-soluble) | Thiamine | Fresh fruits, corn, cashew nuts, wheat, milk, dates, potatoes, sweet potatoes, black beans, peas etc. |
| Vitamin B2 (Water-soluble) | Riboflavin | Bananas, grapes, mangoes, peas, pumpkin, dates, yoghurt, milk, mushrooms, popcorn, beef liver, etc. |
| Vitamin B3 (Water-soluble) | Niacin | Meat, eggs, fish, milk products, guava, mushroom, peanuts, cereals, green peas, etc. |
| Vitamin B5 (Water-soluble) | Pantothenic Acid | Meat, kidney, egg yolk, broccoli, peanuts, fish, chicken, milk, yoghurt, legumes, mushrooms, avocado, etc. |
| Vitamin B6 (Water-soluble) | Pyridoxine | Pork, chicken, fish, bread, wholegrain cereals, eggs, vegetables, soya beans, etc. |
| Vitamin B7 (Water-soluble) | Biotin | Walnuts, peanuts, cereals, milk, egg yolks, salmon, pork, mushroom, cauliflower, avocados, bananas, raspberries, etc. |
| Vitamin B9 (Water-soluble) | Folic Acid | Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beets, etc. |
| Vitamin B12 (Water-soluble) | Cobalamin | Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, etc. |
| Vitamin C (Water-soluble) | Ascorbic acid | Fresh citrus fruits such as orange and grapefruit, broccoli, goat milk, black currant and chestnuts. |
| Vitamin D (Fat-soluble) | Calciferol | Fish, beef, cod liver oil, egg yolk, liver, chicken breast and cereals. |
| Vitamin E (Fat-soluble) | Tocopherol | Potatoes, pumpkin, guava, mango, milk, nuts and seeds. |
| Vitamin K (Fat-soluble) | Phytonadione | Tomatoes, broccoli, mangoes, grapes, chestnuts, cashew nuts, beef and lamb. |