nicotinic acid

[So called because it is often obtained by oxidizing nicotine.]

A vitamin of the vitamin B complex. It can be manufactured by plants and animals from the amino acid tryptophan. The amide derivative, nicotinamide, is a component of the coenzymes NAD and NADP. These take part in many metabolic reactions as hydrogen acceptors. Deficiency of nicotinic acid causes the disease pellagra in humans. Good sources are liver and groundnut and sunflower meals.

Nicotinic acid

One of the vitamers of niacin.

1. one of the vitamins of the B complex group and its vitamer, niacinamide, specific for the treatment of pellagra. Niacinamide functions as a constituent of coenzyme I (DPN) and coenzyme II (TPN). Nicotinic acid is found in lean meats, liver, yeast, milk, and leafy green vegetables. n 2. an acid (C₅H₄N [COOH]) that forms part of the B complex group of vitamins. The body requires this acid as a cofactor in intermediary carbohydrate metabolism. This acid is a constituent of certain coenzymes that function in oxidative-reductive metabolic systems. With niacinamide, nicotinic acid is a pellagra-preventive factor. Also called niacin, P.-P. factor, pyridine 3-carboxylic acid, vitamin P.-P.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a B vitamin essential for the normal function of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract
  Synonym: niacin