Difference Between Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine

The key difference between Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine is that pyridoxal is an aldehyde whereas pyridoxamine is an amine. Further, Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine are abundant in hydrolyzed animal tissues while Pyridoxine is abundant in plant tissues as well.

Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal, and Pyridoxamine are three forms of Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is a part of the vitamin B group of essential nutrients. They are all water soluble. However, Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine are more effective than pyridoxine.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Pyridoxal 
3. What is Pyridoxamine
4. Similarities Between Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine
5. Side by Side Comparison – Pyridoxal vs Pyridoxamine in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Pyridoxal?

Pyridoxal is a form of vitamin B₆. It is an aldehyde. Molecular formula and molecular weight of pyridoxal are C₈H₉NO₃ and 167.164 g/mol, respectively. Pyridoxal kinase can efficiently convert Pyridoxal into Vitamin B6 active form, which is pyridoxal phosphate. This form of vitamin B₆ is necessary for amino acid synthesis and lipid metabolism. Both pyridoxal and pyridoxamine form from pyridoxine.

Furthermore, this form of vitamin B6 is abundant in animal tissues. Since this is a form of Vitamin B6, its deficiency leads to disease conditions such as anemia, dermatitis, etc.

What is Pyridoxamine?

Pyridoxamine is another form of Vitamin B6. It is an amine found in animal tissues. Pyridoxamine can also be converted easily into its active form pyridoxal phosphate. Molecular formula and molecular weight of this vitamin are C₈H₁₂N₂O₂ and 168.196 g/mol respectively.

Similar to pyridoxal, pyridoxamine is also essential for the amino acid synthesis and lipid metabolism.

What are the Similarities Between Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine?

• Both Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine are effective than pyridoxine.
• They are forms of Vitamin B₆.
• Both promote the growth of Streptococcus faecalis.
• They form naturally.
• They are water-soluble
• Both are interconverted.
• Both can be converted to pyridoxal phosphate.
• Peridoxine can be converted into pyridoxal or pyridoxamine.
• They are essential for amino acid synthesis and lipid metabolism.
• Both are abundant in hydrolyzed animal tissues.
• Deficiency of both compounds may cause dermatitis, anemia, mental depression, confusion, etc.

What is the Difference Between Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine?

Although both Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine are forms of vitamin B6, pyridoxal is an aldehyde whereas pyridoxamine is an amine. Moreover, pyridoxal has a CHO group while pyridoxamine has a CH₂NH₂ group.

Summary – Pyridoxal vs Pyridoxamine

Pyridoxal and pyridoxamine are two forms of vitamin B₆. They are abundant in hydrolyzed animal tissues. They are essential for amino acid synthesis and lipid metabolism. Their deficiency leads to diseases such as anemia, dermatitis, etc. Pyridoxal is an aldehyde. Pyridoxamine is an amine. The key difference between Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine is in their chemical structure; pyridoxal has a CHO group while pyridoxamine has a CH₂NH₂ group.

Reference:

1. “Pyridoxal.” Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, Elsevier, Available here.
2.“Pyridoxamine.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Pyridoxal2” By NEUROtiker ⇌ – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Pyridoxamine” By Edgar181 – English Wikipedia (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia