Discovery of pantothenic acid

Pantothenic acid is a water soluble vitamin discovered as a growth factor for yeast and certain bacteria by Roger J. William in 1933. William also first to crystallize folic acid, while his brother was the co-discoverer of thiamine, vitamin B1.

He discovered that yeast requires a certain nutrient, which he called pantothenic acid. He suggested that if yeast needed this nutrient, humans might need it, too.

First isolated in 1938, Elvehjem and Jukes showed in 1939 that pantothenic acid was required for growth and prevented dermatitis in chickens.

During 1939 and 1940 William succeeded in determining the structure of the new vitamin and in preparing it synthetically.

The name pantothenic acid is derived from the Greek word pantothen, meaning ‘from every side.’ This B vitamin is widespread in the food supply, so it is well named.
Discovery of pantothenic acid