Review

Thiamine is synthesised by plants, bacteria, fungi and multicellular living organisms. The human body cannot synthesise this vitamin and must take it from food.

Thiamin, also known as Vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in energy metabolism, helping to convert nutrients into energy. It is vital for the functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system. Here are some of the main uses and benefits of thiamin:

Energy Production. Thiamin is crucial for the enzymatic processes that break down sugars and amino acids to produce energy, making it essential for maintaining optimal energy levels throughout the day.

Nervous System Support. It helps in the proper functioning of the nervous system by playing a key role in nerve transmission and the synthesis of neurotransmitters.

Cardiovascular Health. Thiamin supports heart health by aiding in the maintenance of muscle tone along the walls of the heart and in the nervous system that controls the heart.

Digestive Aid. It assists in the production of hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for proper digestion.

Immune System. It contributes to the health of the immune system by aiding in the resistance to stressful conditions.

Chemical Industrial Synthesis Process

• Chemical Synthesis. The synthetic production of Thiamin occurs through a series of chemical reactions starting from raw materials such as thiamine chloride or other chemical precursors. These reactions are carefully controlled to achieve the specific structure of Thiamin.
• Purification. After synthesis, the crude Thiamin product is purified to remove impurities and by-products of the reaction. This may include crystallization, filtration, and chromatography processes.
• Quality Control. The purified Thiamin undergoes rigorous quality control checks to verify its purity, potency, and compliance with pharmaceutical standards. These tests can include spectroscopic analyses, chromatographic analyses, and potency tests.
• Formulation. Pure Thiamin can be formulated into various forms for end use, such as powder, tablets, capsules, or injectable solutions. This step involves adding excipients to improve the stability and absorption of the product.

Thiamin is found in a variety of foods, including whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, pork, and certain fortified foods. It is also available as a dietary supplement. 

Industrially it appears in the form of a white powder, is soluble in water and is characterised by a sharp odour.

It is found in bran, cereal products, potatoes, rice and vegetables.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Fragrance. It plays a very important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it allows perfume to be enhanced, masked or added to the final product, improving its commercial viability.  The consumer always expects to find a pleasant scent in a cosmetic product.

Skin conditioning agent - Miscellaneous.  This ingredient has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing its flakiness and restoring its elasticity.

Medical

It has the function of burning sugar. Those who use sugar and alcohol excessively suffer from a deficiency of this vitamin (1).

Many studies have focused on the possibility of its metabolic benefits on diabetes mellitus (2).

It is used to treat a disease of the nerve endings called Beri Beri.

The most relevant studies on this vitamin have been selected with a summary of their contents:

Benefits:

Dietary Supplement: Thiamine Hydrochloride is widely used in vitamin supplements to prevent and treat thiamine deficiency, which can lead to conditions such as beriberi, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and general malaise.

Energy Metabolism: It plays a vital role in carbohydrate metabolism, helping to convert nutrients into energy, which is essential for maintaining energy levels and supporting bodily functions.

Nervous System Health: Thiamine Hydrochloride is important for the health of the nervous system, aiding in the proper functioning of neurons and supporting cognitive activities such as memory and learning.

Cardiovascular Support: It helps maintain healthy cardiac function by supporting the nervous system that regulates heart muscles and vascular function.

Enhanced Absorption: The hydrochloride form of thiamine ensures better solubility and absorption by the body compared to thiamine in its pure form, making it more effective in preventing and treating deficiency.

Food Fortification: Thiamine Hydrochloride is added to a variety of foods, such as bread, cereals, and baby foods, to enhance their nutritional value and prevent thiamine deficiency in the general population.

Vitamin B1 studies

• Molecular Formula: C₁₂H₁₇N₄OS+
• Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C₁₂H₁₇ClN₄OS · HCl
• Molecular Weight: 265.355 g/mol
• CAS: 70-16-6  59-43-8   67-03-8
• EC Number: 200-425-3
• UNII: 4ABT0J945J
• PubChem Substance ID 24871525
• MDL number: MFCD00012780
• Beilstein Registry Number: 3851771

Synonyms:

• vitamin B1
• thiamin
• Thiamine hydrochloride
• Vitamin B1 hydrochloride
• Aneurine hydrochloride
• 3-[(4-amino-2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)methyl]-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-3-ium
• Thiamine monohydrochloride
• Vitamin B1 hydrochloride (VAN)
• Thiamine, chloride, hydrochloride
• 2-[3-[(4-amino-2-methyl-pyrimidin-5-yl)methyl]-4-methyl-thiazol-3-ium-5-yl]ethanol
• Thiamin hydrochloride