Pangamic Acid

Literature References: Controversial mixture of compounds erroneously labeled as vitamin B15. Allegedly isolated from apricot kernel: E. T. Krebs, Sr. et al., Int. Rec. Med. 164, 18 (1951). Originally named pangamic acid because of its supposed ubiquity in seeds. There is no clear chemical identity for pangamic acid. An historical review by J. C. Micheau et al., in Chim. Ther. 7, 103 (1972) contains structural studies, analyses, syntheses and discussion of various components of pangamic acid. Products sold as pangamic acid in the U.S. vary considerably in their composition. Some are mixtures of calcium gluconate and N,N-dimethylglycine, q.q.v.; others contain diisopropylamine dichloroacetate, q.v.: FDA Drug Bulletin vol. 8(6), Dec. 1978-Jan. 1979. Ref.: V. Herbert, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 32, 1534 (1979); V. Herbert, R. Herbert, in Controversies in Nutrition, L. Ellenbogen, Ed. (Churchill-Livingstone, New York, 1981) pp 159-170.