Vitamin B6 doesn't have one single chemical name; it's actually a group of related compounds that exhibit vitamin B6 activity. These compounds are vitamers of vitamin B6, and they include pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine.
Therefore, here are the chemical forms:
- Pyridoxine: This is often the form referred to when discussing vitamin B6, especially in supplements.
- Pyridoxal: An aldehyde form of Vitamin B6.
- Pyridoxamine: An amine form of Vitamin B6.
These vitamers are often found in their phosphorylated forms: pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate (PMP). PLP is the active coenzyme form and is the most abundant form found in the body.
In summary, while many people associate "vitamin B6" with pyridoxine, it technically refers to a group of related compounds, including pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine, as well as their phosphorylated forms.
