Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds which are essential in small amounts to the life and well-being of man and animals. Vitamins generally cannot be synthesized in the body, but must be taken in with the diet. There are 13 major vitamins which each have a range of functions in the body and their modes of action are also very diverse.

Fat or water soluble vitamins?

• Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble
  This means that a certain amount of fat is needed in the diet to help the body absorb these vitamins. Unused supplies can be stored in the body

• The B group vitamins are water soluble
  (consisting of vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12. Additionally vitamin C, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin and folic acid) They cannot be stored in the body so we need a daily supply of them from the diet. In animal nutrition, choline is usually also referred to as a B-complex vitamin.

Below: A microscopic image of vitamin B1

DSM Nutritional Products can supply the complete range of vitamins for all possible uses.

Modern compound animal feeds usually contain all the vitamins required by any given species in the correct amounts for optimum growth and health. DSM vitamins for feed use are marketed under the trade name ROVIMIX®. In food products, vitamins are mainly added to replace losses in processing, or to fortify the product, but are also used as antioxidants or colourants. In the pharmaceutical industry, vitamins are used in supplement preparations such as tablets or capsules. Vitamins are also used in the cosmetics industry in skin- and hair-care products.

DSM vitamins are available in many forms, depending on the vitamin and application: crystalline, as oil, with a protective coating or in a protective matrix as a dry powder.