Nicotinamide. Polarised light micrograph of crystals of nicotinamide, or niacinamide. This is the amide of nicotinic acid. The acid and amide are both B vitamins, and are equally active. Nicotinamide is a component of two vital coenzymes, NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and its phosphate NADP, which are responsible for electron transport in cellular respiration. A deficiency of these and other B vitamins may lead to pellagra, shown by severe dermatitis, diarrhoea and depression. Sources of niacinamide include vegetables, lean meat, milk and some cereals (but not maize). Magnification x16 at 6x7cm size. Magnification: x27 at 5x4 inch size.