Researchers have engineered a modified form of Spirulina to produce biologically active vitamin B12, which was previously thought to be found only in animal products. This development creates a sustainable and carbon-neutral alternative to traditional meat and dairy sources. The study, published in Discover Food, was led by Dr. Asaf Tzachor from Reichman University, collaborating with scientists from Iceland, Denmark, and Austria.
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Conventional Spirulina contains mostly pseudo-vitamin B12, which is not bioavailable to humans. The newly developed variant, grown under carefully controlled light conditions, produces active vitamin B12 at levels comparable to beef—1.64 µg per 100 grams—as opposed to the 0.7 to 1.5 µg found in beef. The study represents the first instance of biologically active vitamin B12 being reported in Spirulina.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a significant global health issue, affecting more than one billion people. It is essential for DNA production, nerve function, and the formation of red blood cells, with severe deficiency leading to anemia, nerve damage, and developmental problems in infants. While animal products like beef and milk provide this vitamin, their production has a substantial environmental impact due to greenhouse gas emissions and resource demands.
Spirulina has long been considered a potential alternative due to its rich nutrient profile, including protein, essential amino acids, and antioxidants. However, the prevalent form of vitamin B12 within traditional Spirulina has limited its effectiveness.
To develop this new version, researchers used a biotechnology system from VAXA Technologies, allowing for the growth of Spirulina in enclosed photobioreactors under artificial lighting. This approach influences the algae's metabolism without genetic modification. The resultant biomass not only is carbon neutral but also maintains its beneficial vitamin B12 profile over nine months of continuous cultivation.
Dr. Tzachor remarked that this method of producing active vitamin B12 represents a sustainable alternative to animal-derived sources.
The researchers also explored scaling this production method, particularly in Iceland, where much of the energy used is from renewable sources like geothermal and hydroelectric power. They projected that redirecting electricity currently used by heavy industry could enable Iceland to produce 306,400 US tons of Spirulina annually, translating to sufficient active vitamin B12 to meet the dietary needs of over 13.8 million children aged 1–3. Ambitiously, they estimate production could support over 26.5 million children aged 1–3 and over 50 million children aged 0–6 months, highlighting a viable pathway to address global vitamin B12 deficiency.