vitamin An organic substance that is distributed in foodstuffs, is distinct from the main organic components of food (protein, carbohydrate and fat) and is needed for the normal nutrition of the organism in question. The term "vitamines" (from vita + amines) was coined in 1912 by Casimir Funk, who believed that these compounds were amines. CHEBI:10004 CHEBI:27305 CHEBI:33229 Vitamin chebi_ontology vitamina vitaminas vitamine vitamines vitamins vitaminum food component