Biologically Active Vitamin B12 from Edible Seaweeds

This chapter presents evidence that some edible seaweeds contain substantial amounts of biologically available B₁₂, which is lacking in other plant-derived foods. There is a significant accumulation of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine during B₁₂ deficiency, which is usually considered indicative of the vitamin deficiency. The chapter summarizes the characterization and bioavailability of B₁₂ compounds from edible seaweeds. Various types of edible seaweeds are available worldwide, and these are known to be rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers. Although only trace B₁₂ amounts have been detected in some green and red algae, Enteromorpha prolifera and Porphyra yezoensis have been reported to contain substantial B₁₂ amounts. Although B₁₂ has been identified as a major corrinoid compound in Chinese dried products produced from Porphyra spp. using Escherichia coli 215 bioautography following thin-layer chromatography PseudoB₁₂ has also been detected as a minor peak using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.