Which B vitamin functions as a coenzyme in the breakdown of fat for energy production?

Which B vitamin functions as a coenzyme in the breakdown of fat for energy production?

• A. Vitamin B1
• B. Vitamin B2
• C. Vitamin B3
• D. Vitamin B12

Answer: (B)

Fatty acid breakdown for energy relies on beta-oxidation, where the first dehydrogenation step is carried out by flavoprotein enzymes that use FAD as a coenzyme. FAD is the oxidized form of riboflavin (vitamin B2), so this vitamin provides the coenzyme needed for fat oxidation to proceed. Without riboflavin, the FAD-dependent enzymes can’t efficiently catalyze those dehydrogenation steps, limiting fat-derived energy production. Other B vitamins support energy metabolism in various ways, but they don’t supply the specific coenzyme for the beta-oxidation step. Vitamin B12 is involved in other fatty acid pathways (like odd-chain fatty acid metabolism) and isn’t the primary coenzyme for general fat oxidation.

Fatty acid breakdown for energy relies on beta-oxidation, where the first dehydrogenation step is carried out by flavoprotein enzymes that use FAD as a coenzyme. FAD is the oxidized form of riboflavin (vitamin B2), so this vitamin provides the coenzyme needed for fat oxidation to proceed. Without riboflavin, the FAD-dependent enzymes can’t efficiently catalyze those dehydrogenation steps, limiting fat-derived energy production. Other B vitamins support energy metabolism in various ways, but they don’t supply the specific coenzyme for the beta-oxidation step. Vitamin B12 is involved in other fatty acid pathways (like odd-chain fatty acid metabolism) and isn’t the primary coenzyme for general fat oxidation.