What does lactoflavin mean?
Lactoflavin is an older name for riboflavin, the water-soluble B vitamin usually called vitamin B2. It is associated with the body's metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and it supports normal cellular function. Although the word can still occur in biochemical and pharmacological sources, modern nutrition labels, medical references, and consumer supplements almost always use “riboflavin” instead. The compound was historically connected with milk, which is reflected in the element “lacto-,” while “flavin” refers to a family of yellow-coloured compounds. Lactoflavin should not be confused with lactose, the milk sugar, or with the unrelated lactase enzyme that helps digest that sugar. Recognising the older term is useful when reading historical scientific papers, ingredient lists, or older reference works, where it may denote the same vitamin now universally understood as riboflavin.
nounAn older name for riboflavin, the water-soluble vitamin known as vitamin B2. In biochemical contexts, it refers specifically to the flavin form of the vitamin.
- An older biochemical name for riboflavin or vitamin B2, particularly in historical and pharmacological literature.
"The laboratory used lactoflavin in the preparation to provide a readily absorbable source of vitamin B2."
"Each tablet supplied 10 milligrams of lactoflavin."
"Older studies describe lactoflavin deficiency in terms now generally associated with riboflavin deficiency."
The term is normally used as a mass noun when referring to the substance; the plural appears chiefly when separate preparations or quantities are being discussed.
"The two formulations contained different lactoflavins intended for separate batches of the study."
Its name joins “lacto,” referring to milk, with “flavin,” a name associated with the compound's yellow colour.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lactoflavin come from?
The word was formed in English by combining the combining form “lacto-,” associated with milk, with “flavin.” The flavin element comes from Latin flavus, meaning “yellow,” reflecting the characteristic colour of this group of compounds. Lactoflavin was subsequently superseded in general usage by the name riboflavin, although the older term continued to appear in scientific and pharmacological writing.
How lactoflavin is actually used
In modern nutrition and medicine, “riboflavin” and “vitamin B2” are the usual terms. “Lactoflavin” is chiefly encountered in older scientific writing, historical literature, or specialised biochemical contexts.
Easily confused with lactoflavin
Lactose is the sugar naturally occurring in milk, whereas lactoflavin is an older name for the vitamin B2 compound also called riboflavin.