Vitamin B12 Information

1. RM.NIKZAAD
(Readings BSc.in Agricultural Resource Management and Technology),
Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Ruhuna - Sri Lanka

2. Definition of Vitamins
• Any a group of organic compounds
which are essential for normal
growth and nutrition and are
required in small quantities in the
diet; because they cannot be
synthesized by the body.

3. B - Complex
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B3
• Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
• Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)
• Vitamin B12

4. Vitamin B12
• It is one of eight B vitamins
• Generic Name is Cobalamin
• Cayanocobalamin, Methylcobalamin,
Hydroxycobalamin… are some other
Chemical Names of the Vit.B12

5. Structure vs. It’s Chemical Name
• Largest and most Structurally complicated
• It contains the biochemically rare element
cobalt (chemical symbol Co)
• And first natural product consisting Cobalt.
• Because of the structure of Vit.B12; the
chemical name also will change…..

6. Basic Structure of Vit.B12

7. Cyanocobalamin
-CN group

8. Methylcobalamin
-CH3 group

9. Hydroxycobalamin
-OH group

10. 5’-deoxyadenosylcobalamin

11. Sources of Vitamin B12
Shellfish
Fish (Mackerel)
Crab
Sea Food:-
*Shellfish
*Fish
*Crab

12. Liver(Beef)
Red meat

13. Eggs
Milk (Low Fat)

14. For Vegetarians:
*Cereal
*Soy Products
*Fortified Foods and etc…

15. Characteristics of Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B12 is very stable at high
temperatures.
• pH is ranged from 4.5 to 5.0 while the
strong acidic and highly alkaline
environment loses its vitamin activity.

16. Vit.B12 Characters cont.…
• This vitamin is rapidly degraded in the
light, and therefore it is necessary to
keep it in the dark.
• Vitamin B12 is well soluble in water,
ethanol and methanol & insoluble in
acetone, chloroform, ether.

17. Vit.B12 Characters cont.…
• Odorless & Tasteless.
• No fungi, plants, or animals (including
humans) are capable of producing
vitamin B12. Only bacteria and archaea
have the enzymes needed for its
synthesis.

18. Importance of Vitamin B12
• For the formation of red blood Cells.
• For the good health of brain cells and the
Nervous system, together with Vitamin C &
Methionine.
• To defend against Stress.
• To avoid discouragements & dismay.

19. Cont.
• To get good functioning of the mind.
• For the good health of the cells of the bones.
• For proper growth.
• For cell renewal, along with folic acid and
other nutrients.

20. Cont.
• For the absorption of Vitamin A and Iron.
• Reduce the levels of hemocystenin in the
blood.
• Along with folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin
C and other nutrients, it is involved in the
metabolism of Fats and Carbohydrates.

21. Deficiency of Vit.B12
Deficiency due to:-
1. The decrease in intrinsic factor or
gastric juices.
-something that usually occurs
from the age of 50; this lead to
deficiency of this vitamin.
-Pernicious anemia

22. 2. Operation for obesity
-deficit can also occur if there are
operation for obesity in which the
stomach is partially resected(gastric
sleeve sugary or bypass)
3. Quite commonly in the elderly.
-affecting 40% of people over 80 years
and 25% of those over 60 years.

23. Deficiency Symptoms of Vit.B12
• Megaloblastic Anemia
• Growth problem
• Nervous problem
• Tendency suffer from infections
• Problem of memory and learning
• Soreness of the mouth or tongue

24. Cont.
• Tiredness, despondency, discouragements,
weight loss, loss of appetite
• Greenish skin tone
• Suspected degenerative diseases, such as
Multiple sclerosis, Osteoporosis.
• Suspicion of mental problems, such as
Schizophrenia

25. References
• http://www.botanical-
online.com/english/vitamin-b12-
characteristics.htm
• http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed
/supplement/vitamin-b12-cobalamin
• https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12
-HealthProfessional/