Characterization and bioavailability of vitamin B12-compounds from edible algae

• Published in: Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology Vol. 48; no. 5; pp. 325 - 331
• Main Authors: Watanabe, F. (Kochi Women's Univ., Eikokuji (Japan)), Takenaka, S, Kittaka Katsura, H, Ebara, S, Miyamoto, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Center for Academic Publications Japan 2002
• Subjects: ALGAE; algal health food; Animals; BIOAVAILABILITY; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Availability; cobalamin; edible algae; Eukaryota - metabolism; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HEALTH FOODS; Humans; NUTRITIVE VALUE; Rats; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vitamin B 12 - isolation & purification; Vitamin B 12 - pharmacokinetics; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - diet therapy; VITAMIN B12; Human; Algae; edible algae; algal health food; B-Vitamins; Review; Bioavailability; Cyanocobalamin; Feeding; Micronutrient; Edible alga; cobalamin; Diet; Cobalamine; vitamin B12; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0301-4800; 1881-7742
• DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.48.325

Substantial amounts of vitamin B12 were found in some edible algae (green and purple layers) and algal health food (chlorella and spirulina tablets) using the Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis ATCC7830 microbiological assay method. Corrinoidcompounds were purified and characterized from these algae to clarify the chemical properties and bioavailability of the algal vitamin B12. True vitamin B12 is the predominate cobamide of green and purple layers and chlorella tablets. Feeding the purple layer to vitamin B12-deficient rats significantly improved the vitamin B12 status. The results suggest that algal vitamin B12 is a bioavailable source for mammals. Pseudovitamin B12 (an inactive corrinoid) predominated in the spirulina tablets, which are not suitable for use as a vitamin B12 source, especially for vegetarians.