biotin

American  

[bahy-uh-tin] / ˈbaɪ ə tɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a crystalline, water-soluble vitamin, C 10 H 16 O 3 N 2 S, of the vitamin B complex, that is present in all living cells and functions as a growth factor and as a catalyst in carboxylation reactions.

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biotin British  

/ ˈbaɪətɪn /

noun

1. a vitamin of the B complex, abundant in egg yolk and liver, deficiency of which causes dermatitis and loss of hair. Formula: C 10 H 16 N 2 O 3 S See also avidin

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biotin Scientific  

/ bī′ə-tĭn /

1. A water-soluble organic acid belonging to the vitamin B complex that is important in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fatty acids. It is also a cofactor for some coenzymes that catalyze the synthesis of organic acids in the body. Biotin is found in liver, egg yolks, milk, yeast, and some vegetables. Chemical formula: C ₁₀ H ₁₆ N ₂ O ₃ S.

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Etymology

Origin of biotin

1935–40; < German Biotin < Greek biotḗ life + -in -in ²

Example Sentences

In this way, biotin acts as a "metabolic license," allowing pyruvate to feed into the cell's energy system and compensate for the lack of glutamine.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

Newer products include a hair strengthening collection with biotin and Jamaican castor oil, and a wig care collection that uses apple cider vinegar to remove build-up from weaves and wigs.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2023

Krueger notes that biotin, a common hair product additive, isn’t that important for hair health and can interfere with lab tests.

From National Geographic • Aug. 22, 2023

There are also some nutrients you don’t need in a supplement: biotin, boron, chloride, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, pantothenic acid, phosphorous, silicon, tin and vanadium.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 10, 2023

By systematically depleting nearly all the nutrients from the broth, Beadle found that the mold strains could still grow on a minimal broth containing nothing more than a sugar and a vitamin called biotin.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee