A Critique of Biological Activity of L-Lyxoflavin.

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Abstract
L-Lyxoflavin, a stereoisomer of riboflavin, was tested for biological activity in the nutrition of Lactobacillus casei, the the rat and the chick. For the bacterium, the compound has a limited ability to replace riboflavin. In the presence of 0.10 [mu]g-of riboflavin, its activity approximates that of riboflavin at levels of 0.02-0.10 [mu]g. At levels of 150 ug. or higher it acts as an antimetabolite. For the rat, it can partially replace riboflavin in both prophylactic and curative assays. In the presence of suboptimal levels of riboflavin, it stimulates growth. In the presence of suboptimal levels of pantothenic acid, no stimulation occurs. L-Lyxoflavin stimulated growth in chicks fed a diet deficient in unknown factors. Riboflavin, at comparable levels, produced equal growth effects. The activity of L-lyxoflavin is due to its riboflavin-replacing ability.