Riboflavin has a chemical structure of C17H20N4O6 and is a key vitamin used to maintain health in humans and animals alike. Uniquely, Riboflavin is also used in some food products as a yellow/orange food coloring but is most commonly used to fortify common foods such as cereals, sauces, pasta and some energy and fruit drinks.
Dosage
Recommended dosages are relatively low compared to most vitamins as B2 has a daily recommendation of about 1.1 mg for men and 1.3 mg for women. Lower dosages or a lack of Vitamin B2 is always accompanied by other deficiencies. Because Riboflavin is excreted in the urine, food intake is the only way to replenish this key vitamin. Higher dosages of Riboflavin are almost never toxic because of its low solubility in the gut, but injected supplements can more easily approach toxicity.
Deficiency
Like we mentioned before, lower dosages or a lack of Vitamin B2 is always accompanied by other deficiencies. Additionally, deficiency can be due to either poor diet or a condition that affects absorption of Riboflavin. Some of the common symptoms of Riboflavin deficiency are cracked or red lips, mouth or tongue inflammation and cracks at the corner of the mouth. Simple dosages or multivitamins usually clear up all symptoms within a couple days.