The Vitamin B Complex
It is general practice to include in the so-called B complex any water-soluble vitamin found in yeast, liver, or other good source of the well-established members of this group, such as thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. Though such a practice has justification, it has made the B complex truly complex. The terminology is at present somewhat improved, though the literature of a few years ago and more is often baffiing to the uninitiated. As an example, some 15 different names have been applied to the vitamin now known as thiamine. This factor is also called vitamin Bl by many, although the former term is preferable since it has been adopted by the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry of the American.
Medical Association, the American Association of Biological Chemists, and the American Institute of Nutrition. Riboflavin, the presently accepted name for another member of this group, was previously referred to as vitamin B2' vitamin G, and the P-P factor (pellagra preventive). A third factor, niacin (accepted name) was only a few years ago almost universally referred to as nicotinic acid. The various scientific groups, including those just referred to, have done a great deal to unify the terminology of the vitamins. Mer these organizations officially adopt a name, other synonyms slowly disappear from the literature, and a certain degree of clarification results.
The present trend is to adopt a name that implies in some degree at least the chemical nature of the compound in question. For example, the name pteroylglutamic acid has replaced the name folic acid (another member of the B complex). As a result of the official adoption of vitamin names and discriminating editorial service on the part of the proper authorities, the situation regarding' vitamin terminology is much improved, and there is a continued gain in unification.
