Vitamin B12 Derivatives

Vitamin B₁₂ is a vital nutrient for the body, which is required to support immune function, contribute to red blood cell formation, stimulate serotonin production, protect brain and nerve cells, support energy and protect RNA and DNA. Among all the vitamins, vitamin B₁₂ is the most chemically complex. Vitamin B₁₂, as a cofactor for methylcobalamin (MeCbl)- and adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl)-dependent enzymes, play an important role in biological processes, such as DNA regulation and synthesis, red blood cell formation and nervous system function. Biologically active forms of vitamin B₁₂, including cyanocobalamin, AdoCbl, hydroxocobalamin (HOCbl) and MeCbl, are complex organometallic molecules because of their distinctive cr Co-C bonds. HOCbl and AdoCbl are the most frequent forms found in meats, while MeCbl is usually found in dairy products. AdoCbl and MeCbl are cofactors in several enzymes which catalyse complex molecular transformations which involve the breakage of the Co-C bond as the first step.