biotin (redirected from Vitamin B7)

biotin /bio·tin/ (bi´o-tin) a member of the vitamin B complex; it is a cofactor for several enzymes, plays a role in fatty acid and amino acid metabolism, and is used in vitro in some biochemical assays.

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bi·o·tin (b-tn)

n.

A colorless crystalline vitamin of the vitamin B complex, essential for the activity of many enzyme systems and found in large quantities in liver, egg yolk, milk, and yeast.

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biotin

[bī′ətin]

Etymology: Gk, bios, life

a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble B complex vitamin that acts as a coenzyme in fatty acid production and in the oxidation of fatty acids and carbohydrates. It also aids in the use of protein, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B₁₂. Rich sources are egg yolk, beef liver, kidney, unpolished rice, brewer's yeast, peanuts, cauliflower, and mushrooms. Formerly called vitamin H. See also avidin.

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biotin (bīˑ··tn),

n a B vitamin synthesized by bacteria within the gut; acts as a cofactor with enzymes; thought useful in the treatment of diabetes and brittle nails. Supplementation is not usually necessary except with pregnancy, inflammatory bowel disease, or antibiotic or anticon-vulsant medications. No known precautions.

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biotin (bī´tin),

n See vitamin, biotin.

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biotin

a member of the vitamin B complex, required by or occurring in all forms of life tested; prosthetic group of carboxylase enzymes. Called also vitamin H, coenzyme R.

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biotin nutritional deficiency

natural animal diets are unlikely to be deficient in biotin. Experimental deficiency causes paralysis in calves. In pigs the syndrome includes alopecia, dermatitis and cracking of the hooves. The vitamin may be an important factor in the maintenance of pig hoof health. See also porcine footrot. Deficiency in dogs and cats is associated with dry scurfy skin, alopecia, especially around the eyes, and a papulocrustaceous dermatitis. It can be caused by a diet with very high levels of uncooked egg whites. See also avidin.