Thiamine mononitrate or Vitamin B₁ or Thiamine is synthesised by plants, bacteria, fungi and multicellular living organisms. The human body cannot synthesise this vitamin and must take it from food.

The name defines the structure of the molecule

• "Thiamine" is the chemical form of vitamin B₁. Vitamin B₁ is essential for carbohydrate metabolism and plays a key role in nerve impulse conduction.
• "Mononitrate" indicates the presence of a single nitrate (NO₃⁻) group attached to the molecule. This is often done to improve the stability or solubility of a compound.

Description of raw materials used in production

• Ammonium dichloroacetate - Used as a reactant in the production of Thiamine.
• Skatole (2-methyl-4-amino-5-ethylthiazole) - Another key reactant in the synthesis of Thiamine.
• Nitric acid (HNO₃) - Used to convert Thiamine into Thiamine mononitrate.

Step-by-step summary of industrial chemical synthesis process.

• Reaction - Ammonium dichloroacetate reacts with skatole to form a Thiamine intermediate.
• Purification - This intermediate is purified through various methods like crystallization.
• Nitration - The purified Thiamine intermediate is treated with nitric acid to form Thiamine mononitrate.
• Crystallization - Thiamine mononitrate is made to crystallize out from the solvent.
• Filtration - The Thiamine mononitrate crystals are separated from the liquid through filtration.
• Drying - The crystals are then dried to remove any traces of solvent.
• Quality Control - The final product undergoes various quality checks to ensure it meets specifications.

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.

Commercial applications

Dietary Supplement. Thiamine Mononitrate is often used as a source of Vitamin B₁ in dietary supplements.

Food Fortification. Added to foods like cereals, flours, and baked goods to enhance their Vitamin B₁ content.

Treatment for Vitamin B₁ Deficiency. Prescribed to treat or prevent a deficiency of Vitamin B₁, such as in the case of beriberi disease.

Cosmetics and Skin Care Products. Used in some skincare products to promote skin health.

Ingredient in Pharmaceutical Products. Included in some pharmaceutical formulations for its beneficial properties.

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

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 mononitrate
• 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

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Sutherland GT, Sheedy D, Kril JJ. Neuropathology of alcoholism. Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;125:603-15. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-62619-6.00035-5.

(2) Al-Attas O, Al-Daghri N, Alokail M, Abd-Alrahman S, Vinodson B, Sabico S. Metabolic Benefits of Six-month Thiamine Supplementation in Patients With and Without Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.
Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2014 Jan 23;7:1-6. doi: 10.4137/CMED.S13573. eCollection 2014.

Other studies

Nacitarhan C, Minareci E, Sadan G. The effect of benfotiamine on mu-opioid receptor mediated antinociception in experimental diabetes.   Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2014 Mar;122(3):173-8. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1363977. 

Alaei Shahmiri F, Soares MJ, Zhao Y, Sherriff J.  High-dose thiamine supplementation improves glucose tolerance in hyperglycemic individuals: a randomized, double-blind cross-over trial.
 Eur J Nutr. 2013 Oct;52(7):1821-4. doi: 10.1007/s00394-013-0534-6.