Sources, absorption and coenzyme functions of Folate
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Folic acid
- Folic acid is abundant in vegetables.
- It is composed of three constituents.
- The pteridine group linked with
- Para amino benzoic acid (PABA) is called pteroic acid.
- It is then attached to glutamic acid to form pteroyl glutamic acid or folic acid.
- In nature, polyglutamates are seen where up to seven glutamate residues are linked to the pteroyl group.
- Folacin is the generic name for such folic acid related compounds.
- Folic acid is soluble in water.
- When exposed to light, it is rapidly destroyed.
Sources of Folic acid
- Rich sources of folate are:
- Yeast,
- Green leafy vegetables.
- Moderate sources are:
- Cereals,
- Pulses, Oil seeds and
- Egg.
- Milk is a poor source for folic acid.
Absorption of Folic acid
- Folic acid is readily absorbed by the upper part of jejunum.
- In the blood, it is transported by beta globulins.
- It is taken up by the liver where the co-enzymes are produced.
- Folic acid is not stored in tissues.
Coenzyme functions of Folic acid
- Folic acid is first reduced to 7,8-dihydrofolic acid and then further reduced to 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro folic acid (THFA)
- Both reactions are catalyzed by NADPH dependent folate reductase.
- The THFA is the carrier of one-carbon groups.
- One carbon compound is an organic molecule that contains only a single carbon atom.
- These ONE CARBON compounds are attached …
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