Research and development

The green algae chlorella and its accompanying flora - natural vitamin B12 for a vegan diet

Vitamin B12 is essential for cell division, blood formation and nervous system function. A deficiency can lead to anemia and neurological damage. In addition to older people with impaired vitamin B12 absorption, people who eat a vegan diet are particularly affected, as vitamin B12 is mainly found in foods of animal origin, but only in trace amounts in plants. Vitamin B12" or cobalamins is the name given to a group of complex biomolecules containing cobalt that are synthesized by bacteria. Animals are supplied by their symbiotic intestinal flora. Similarly, green algae of the genus Chlorella can absorb and store vitamin B12, which is released by associated bacteria, whereby the levels in Chlorella can be up to 7 times higher than in meat products such as calf's liver (e.g. 430 µg/100 g vs. 60 µg/100 g; van den Oever et al. 2022, DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104464).            

The aim of the project is to develop a stable cultivation process for Chlorella and its accompanying bacterial flora for the production of vitamin B12-enriched biomass for food/feed and the formulation of a well bioavailable dosage form, which will be investigated in a human study with regard to its effect.