Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is an essential nutrient that serves as a key structural component of coenzyme A (CoA) and acyl carrier protein (ACP), both of which are central to numerous metabolic pathways. Through CoA, pantothenic acid participates in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, and ketogenic amino acids, while ACP is crucial for fatty acid biosynthesis. Most pantothenic acid in animal tissues exists in the CoA form, reflecting its fundamental role in energy production and biosynthetic processes.
Although pantothenic acid deficiency is extremely rare, experimental depletion has shown that inadequate levels can affect multiple organ systems, leading to symptoms such as irritability, postural hypotension, rapid heart rate, gastrointestinal distress, and peripheral neuropathy. Pantothenic acid and its derivatives have additional clinical interest: pantethine has demonstrated cholesterol-lowering effects, and pantoyl-GABA has been studied as a potential treatment for cognitive impairment in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Clinically, testing is often indicated in individuals with suspected malnutrition or malabsorption, such as those undergoing dialysis, individuals with alcohol dependence, or patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
The Pantothenic Acid test kit uses a microbiological method to quantify total free pantothenic acid in serum. Lactobacillus plantarum, immobilized on a microtiter plate, exhibits pantothenic acid–dependent growth, which is measured turbidimetrically after incubation. The resulting turbidity directly correlates with pantothenic acid concentration, providing a reliable tool for both clinical diagnostics and research applications in human and veterinary medicine.
This product is manufactured in USA by Immundiagnostik AG.
