The Water Soluble Vitamins: Choline, Biotin, Inositol, and Para-Aminobenzoic Acid

The document highlights the significance of choline and biotin, which are water-soluble vitamins, in both animal nutrition and their potential relevance to human health. Choline is crucial for preventing fatty liver in young rats, with a protective daily intake of 4 to 6 mg. Biotin is necessary for micro-organism growth and prevents a syndrome in rats that is caused by the consumption of raw egg white, due to biotin's binding to avidin, which prevents its absorption. A biotin deficiency in rats can lead to alopecia, but this can be remedied by increasing biotin in the diet. The document also touches on inositol and para-aminobenzoic acid, which have been beneficial in animal studies for conditions such as alopecia and improving gastrointestinal motility, though further research is required to confirm their status as vitamins and their clinical use in humans.