Factory Supply Vitamin B12 CAS 68-19-9
What is Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)?
Vitamin B12, abbreviated as VB12 and also known as cobalamin, is a member of the B vitamins. It is a complex organic compound containing cobalt, the trivalent cobalt being located at the center of a corrin ring similar to a porphyrin. It is the largest and most complex vitamin molecule discovered to date, and the only vitamin containing a metal ion. Its crystals are red, hence its name, the red vitamin. Plants do not contain VB12 and cannot produce it. Liver is the best source of VB12, followed by milk, meat, eggs, and fish. VB12 is an essential coenzyme in the synthesis of RNA and DNA. Deficiency in VB12 can cause pathological changes in the nervous system, including peripheral and central encephalopathy.
Chemical Structure of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an iso-octahedral compound containing a cobalt ion. Its central structure is a planar corrin ring composed of four pyrroles connected together.
The vitamin B12 molecule generally consists of three components: a corrin ring chelated by four nitrogen atoms to the central cobalt ion; 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMBI) linked to the cobalt ion via its N-7 atom, serving as the lower (α) ligand of the vitamin B12 molecule. DMBI is also linked to aminopropanol via a phosphate group, which is covalently linked to the propionic acid side chain on the pyrrole D; and an adenosine group or a methyl group linked to the cobalt ion, forming the upper (β) ligand of the vitamin B12 molecule. Different ligands located above the corrin ring axis result in different types of vitamin B12 compounds. The hydroxyl group (-OH) bonds with the cobalt ion in the corrin ring to form hydroxycobalamin. Similarly, deoxyadenosine (5′-deoxyadenosyl), methyl (-CH3), and cyano (-CN) groups bond with the cobalt ion to form adenosylcobalamin, methylcobalamin, and cyanocobalamin, respectively.
In nature, microbial biosynthesis of vitamin B12 results in the final forms of adenosylcobalamin (coenzyme B12), methylcobalamin, and hydroxycobalamin. However, due to their instability, sodium cyanide is artificially added during the industrial purification process to convert the natural form of vitamin B12 into the more stable cyanocobalamin.
Physiological Functions of Vitamin B12
Promoting erythropoiesis
Cyanocobalamin is a key coenzyme for the development and maturation of red blood cells. It promotes the proliferation and differentiation of primitive red blood cells in the bone marrow, preventing and improving megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
Maintaining nervous system function
It participates in the synthesis of myelin sphingolipid proteins, protecting the integrity of nerve fibers and alleviating neurological symptoms such as limb numbness and paresthesia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
Participating in DNA synthesis
As a coenzyme of methyltransferase, it provides the necessary methyl groups for DNA synthesis and is crucial for cell division and proliferation, especially hematopoietic cells and gastrointestinal mucosal cells.
Correcting metabolic disorders
It promotes the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, regulates amino acid metabolism, and reduces the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia and related cardiovascular diseases.
Adjunctive therapy for related conditions
It can be used as an adjunctive treatment for conditions such as peripheral neuropathy and atrophic gastritis with intrinsic factor deficiency, improving nerve conduction velocity and gastric mucosal function.
Applications of Vitamin B12
1. Medical and Healthcare
It is primarily used to treat various vitamin B12 deficiency conditions, such as megaloblastic anemia, anemia caused by drug poisoning, aplastic anemia, and leukopenia. When used in combination with pantothenic acid, it can prevent pernicious anemia and aid in the absorption of iron and gastric acid secretion. Vitamin B12 is also used to treat arthritis, facial nerve paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, hepatitis, herpes, asthma, and other allergies, as well as atopic dermatitis, urticaria, eczema, and bursitis. Vitamin B12 can also treat nervousness, irritability, insomnia, memory loss, and depression. Recent research suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency can also contribute to mental illnesses such as depression. Vitamin B12 is very safe as a therapeutic agent or health supplement. Intravenous or intramuscular injections of vitamin B12 in amounts exceeding the recommended daily recommended value (RDA) have not been found to cause toxicity.
2. Feed
Vitamin B12 promotes growth and development in poultry and livestock, especially young poultry and livestock, and improves the utilization of feed protein, making it suitable for use as a feed additive. Treating fish eggs or fry with a VB12 aqueous solution can improve their tolerance to waterborne toxicants such as benzene and heavy metals, reducing mortality. Since the European "mad cow disease" incident, the use of chemically defined nutritional supplements such as vitamins as an alternative to meat and bone meal has gained momentum. Currently, the majority of VB12 produced worldwide is used in the feed industry.
3. Other Applications
VB12 can be combined with other substances for use in cosmetics.
In the food industry, VB12 can be used as a colorant in foods such as ham, sausage, ice cream, and fish paste.
In the home, VB12 solutions can be adsorbed onto activated carbon, zeolite, non-woven fabrics, or paper, or made into soap, toothpaste, and other products. It can also be used to deodorize toilets and refrigerators, eliminating sulfide and aldehyde odors.
VB12 can also be used in environmental protection to dehalogenate organic halides, common pollutants in soil and surface water.
