Tag: Cyanocobalamin production

Over 35 tons of vitamin B12 were produced globally in 2008, with the vast majority being fermented cyanocobalamin. This process involves culturing specific bacteria to create precursors, which are then converted into the stable and widely used form of vitamin B12.

According to research, the chemical synthesis of vitamin B12 is prohibitively expensive and complex, which is why commercial production of cyanocobalamin relies on microbial fermentation. This process leverages the natural ability of specific bacteria to synthesize cobalamin, which is then chemically converted to the stable and widely used cyanocobalamin form.

Vitamin B12 biosynthesis is exclusively performed by certain bacteria and archaea, as humans and plants cannot produce it. To meet the global demand for supplements and fortified foods, artificial B12 is produced on a massive scale using a blend of controlled microbial fermentation and precise chemical engineering.