The consistency of vitamin B12 in marketed microalgae powders

Abstract

Vitamin B₁₂ is a water nutrient that plays a key role, in DNA replication and the production of red blood cells as well as maintaining proper neuron function in the body system. Insufficient levels of this vitamin can result in health complications like megaloblastic anemia. At times, microalgal powders have surfaced as a source of vitamin B₁₂. The purpose of this study is to investigate the amount of active vitamin B₁₂ in microalgae with a specific focus on commercially available strains, like Chlorella sp. and Nannochloropsis gaditana. The research discovered that Chlorella sp. and N. gaditana powders have vitamin B₁₂ levels of, up to 2.1 µ/g whereas Spirulina powders contain pseudo vitamin B₁₂ than active B₁₂. Collectively speaking Chlorella sp. and N. gaditana serve as good sources of active vitamin B₁₂ while Spirulina seems to be less potent due, to its high pseudo-vitamin B₁₂ content. This research highlights the promise of powders, like Chlorella sp. and N. gaditana as sources of accessible vitamin B₁₂ that may contribute to addressing nutritional gaps in diets.

Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 14(2): 146-152, December 2024