Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)

Niacinamide, known interchangeably as nicotinamide or pyridine-3-carboxamide, is the amide form of vitamin B3 and the counterpart to nicotinic acid. It is a white or almost white crystalline powder, or colourless crystals, of molecular formula C6H6N2O (molecular weight 122.13, CAS 98-92-0, EC 202-713-4), with a narrow melting range of 128-131 °C that serves as a useful identity check. Its defining handling advantage over the free acid is solubility: approximately one gram dissolves in one millilitre of water at room temperature, equivalent to around 1,000 g/L at 20 °C, and it is also soluble in ethanol (1 g in 1.5 mL) and in glycerol (1 g in 10 mL), yielding a near-neutral solution of pH 6.0-7.5. Like nicotinic acid it functions in nutrition as a precursor of the NAD and NADP coenzyme systems that mediate hydrogen transfer in energy metabolism; unlike the free acid it does not produce the cutaneous vasodilatory response, which is the principal reason formulators choose between the two forms. Thovek offers niacinamide to USP, Ph. Eur./BP, IP and FCC food-grade specifications, and to cosmetic grade under the INCI name Niacinamide. Working limits are an assay of 98.5-101.5 % on the dried basis under USP and 99.0-101.0 % on the dried substance under Ph. Eur./BP, loss on drying not more than 0.5 % after four hours over silica gel, residue on ignition or sulphated ash not more than 0.1 %, lead not more than 2 mg/kg under FCC, and residual nicotinic acid controlled to not more than 0.2 %. Identity is confirmed by infrared absorption and melting range, with assay by titration or HPLC. Standard supply is a fine milled powder; a coarser direct-compression granulation is available for high-speed tabletting where powder flow is limiting. The material picks up moisture on prolonged exposure, so double-lined packing and prompt reclosure of opened containers are advised. The near-neutral pH and high water solubility make niacinamide the default vitamin B3 form for ready-to-drink beverages, effervescent and sachet products, syrups, gummies and other aqueous or low-moisture confectionery systems in which nicotinic acid would contribute acidity or fail to dissolve. It is equally used in multivitamin tablets and capsules, infant and clinical nutrition, flour and rice fortification, animal feed premixes, and in topical cosmetic serums and creams where niacinamide is a well-established water-phase active. Export consignments leave India with batch certificate of analysis, MSDS, packing list and certificate of origin, and halal, kosher, non-GMO, allergen and BSE/TSE-free declarations are issued on request.