Pyridoxal, a form of vitamin B₆, is a water soluble vitamin. The food sources of vitamin B₆ include grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables and meat.

For the labeling of amino acids and their detection in picomolar amounts; Coenzymes and Cofactors, vol. 1: Vitamin B₆, Pyridoxal Phosphate

Pyridoxal hydrochloride has been used to test its potential contribution to plant stress tolerance. It has also been used as a supplement in modified M9 minimal medium to culture E. coli BL21(DE3) cells for expression of 15N-labeled ATG101.

Vitamin B₆ plays a key role in metabolism of both carbohydrates and amino acids. It is implicated in the synthesis of neurotransmitters like dopamine from L-DOPA, serotonin from 5-HTP, and γaminobutyric acid (GABA) from glutamate. Vitamin B₆ plays a major role in maintenance of a healthy nervous system.