Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
Vitamins
Nutritional Enhancers
98-92-0
C₆H₆N₂O
$6.48 ~ $9.72
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/barrel
One unit of:25kg/barrel
25kg/barrel
Product Info
What is Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)?
Nicotinamide is an essential, water-soluble B vitamin (B3) primarily used as a dietary supplement and food fortificant to support cellular metabolism and prevent pellagra.
How is Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw Material Synthesis | Synthesize or procure high-purity 3-methylpyridine (also known as beta-picoline), the primary starting material. | Note: The purity of 3-methylpyridine is crucial as impurities can carry through the process and affect the final product quality and reaction yield. |
| 2 | Ammoxidation | React 3-methylpyridine with air and ammonia in a gas-phase reaction over a metal oxide catalyst at high temperature. This converts it to 3-cyanopyridine. | Control Point: Strict control over temperature (350-450°C), pressure, and catalyst activity is essential for maximizing yield and selectivity, preventing over-oxidation. |
| 3 | Enzymatic Hydrolysis | Convert the 3-cyanopyridine intermediate into nicotinamide by hydrating it with water using a specific biocatalyst (nitrilase enzyme). | Control Point: The reaction is highly sensitive to pH and temperature. Using an enzyme ensures high specificity, leading to a purer product with fewer by-products (like nicotinic acid) compared to chemical methods. |
| 4 | Purification | Process the crude nicotinamide solution through activated carbon treatment and ion-exchange chromatography. | Note: Activated carbon removes color and organic impurities. Ion-exchange resins effectively remove any remaining ionic species, including unreacted starting materials or nicotinic acid. |
| 5 | Crystallization | Concentrate the purified nicotinamide solution by evaporating water, then cool it under controlled conditions to induce crystallization. | Control Point: The cooling rate and final temperature determine the crystal size, shape, and purity. Slow, controlled cooling is preferred for uniform, high-purity crystals. |
| 6 | Separation & Drying | Separate the nicotinamide crystals from the mother liquor using a centrifuge. The crystals are then washed and dried in a fluid bed or vacuum dryer. | Control Point: Drying temperature must be carefully controlled to remove residual moisture without causing thermal degradation of the vitamin. Final moisture content is a key specification. |
| 7 | Sieving & Milling | Mill the dried crystals and/or sieve them to achieve the desired particle size distribution required by the customer or application (e.g., for feed, food, or pharma). | Note: Particle size affects critical properties such as flowability, dissolution rate, and prevention of dusting in final applications. |
| 8 | Final QC & Packaging | Conduct final quality control tests (e.g., HPLC for purity/assay, heavy metals) to ensure the batch meets pharmacopeial standards (USP/EP/BP). Package into sealed, multi-layer bags or drums. | Control Point: Every batch must be certified against specifications. Packaging must protect the product from light, moisture, and contamination during storage and transport. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 98-92-0 |
| Chemical Formula | C₆H₆N₂O |
| Solubility | soluble ~1 g/mL water, also in ethanol, glycerol |
| Storage Conditions | cool, dry, room temperature |
| Shelf Life | 24 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
food fortification (cereals
flours
infant formula)
dietary supplements
cosmetics
pharmaceuticals
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Nutrient (Vitamin) Fortificant; Color Stabilizer |
| Key Ingredients | Nicotinamide (Pyridine-3-carboxamide) |
| Mechanism of Action | As a nutrient, it serves as a biological precursor to the coenzymes Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) and NADP+, which are essential for hundreds of redox reactions in cellular energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis, Krebs cycle). As a color stabilizer in cured meats, its derivative NADH can reduce the oxidized brown metmyoglobin back to the desirable red oxymyoglobin, delaying color fading. |
| Application Effect in Product | Enriches staple foods such as flour, pasta, and cereals to restore processing losses or meet nutritional standards. In cured meat products, it improves and maintains a stable red/pink color throughout shelf life, preventing premature browning and enhancing consumer appeal. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) | Vitamin B3 derivative, Skincare Active | Improves skin barrier, regulates sebum, reduces inflammation and pore appearance. | Highly versatile and stable; compatible with most other skincare actives; low irritation potential. | Less potent for anti-aging than retinoids; less powerful antioxidant than Vitamin C. | General skin health, oily or acne-prone skin, redness, compromised skin barrier. | A foundational, low-risk ingredient to improve overall skin texture, resilience, and tone. |
| Niacin (Nicotinic Acid) | Vitamin B3 form, Dietary Supplement | Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides when taken orally. | More effective than Nicotinamide for systemic lipid management. | Causes significant skin flushing (redness, warmth, itching); rarely used topically. | Medically supervised management of high cholesterol. | Exclusively for its internal health benefits on lipids, not for topical skincare. |
| Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) | Antioxidant, Skincare Active | Brightens skin, protects from free radicals, boosts collagen production. | Superior antioxidant protection against environmental damage; highly effective for brightening. | Inherently unstable and degrades quickly; can be irritating due to low pH. | Dullness, uneven skin tone, sun damage prevention, anti-aging. | For potent antioxidant defense and targeting hyperpigmentation and dull skin. |
| Retinol | Vitamin A derivative, Skincare Active | Accelerates cell turnover, builds collagen, unclogs pores. | Gold standard for anti-aging (wrinkles, firmness) and effective for acne; dramatic, proven results. | High potential for irritation, dryness, and peeling; increases sun sensitivity. | Fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, acne, uneven skin texture. | For the most powerful and scientifically-backed results in reversing signs of aging and treating acne. |
| Azelaic Acid | Dicarboxylic Acid, Skincare Active | Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, gently exfoliates, reduces hyperpigmentation. | Very effective for rosacea and post-inflammatory redness; gentle on skin; pregnancy-safe. | Can cause initial itching or tingling; may be slower to show results for acne compared to retinoids. | Rosacea, acne, post-acne marks, sensitive or reactive skin. | For a gentle but effective approach to targeting redness, inflammation, and breakouts. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
COA, spec sheet, safety data sheet
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
available
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications