Further Observations on Riboflavin as a Food Factor in Economy of Food Utilization

This study on ten pairs of male rats using a paired feeding method revealed that riboflavin deficiency significantly impacts weight gain and health. Riboflavin-deficient rats gained only 6.1 g on average over 125 days, compared to 61.3 g in controls receiving 20 μg of riboflavin daily. Unlike thiamine deficiency, riboflavin deficiency does not lead to severe anorexia but may result in varied food intake levels. Deficient rats exhibited symptoms such as alopecia, dermatitis, rough hair, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and premature senility. The study suggests that riboflavin is crucial for oxidative-enzymic processes in metabolism, and its deficiency may lead to metabolic waste and organism collapse.