Microalgae/cyanobacteria: the potential green future of vitamin B12 production

This review summarizes the available information about potential sources of vitamin B-12, especially for people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet and inhabitants of poor countries in the developing world. Cyanobacteria and microalgae approved for food purposes can play a critical role as promising and innovative sources of this vitamin. This work involves a discussion of whether the form of vitamin B-12 extracted from microalgae/cyanobacteria is biologically available to humans, specifically focusing on the genera Arthrospira and Chlorella. It describes analyses of their biomass composition, cultivation requirements, and genetic properties in B-12 production. Furthermore, this review discusses the function of cobalamin in microalgae and cyanobacteria themselves and the possibility of modification and cocultivation to increase the content of B-12 in their biomass.

Automated summary

This review summarizes the available information about potential sources of vitamin B-12, especially for vegans or vegetarians and people in poor developing countries. Cyanobacteria and microalgae approved for food purposes can serve as promising and innovative sources of this vitamin. The review examines whether vitamin B-12 extracted from microalgae/cyanobacteria is biologically available to humans, with a specific focus on the genera Arthrospira and Chlorella. It also discusses the composition, cultivation requirements, and genetic properties of their biomass in B-12 production. Furthermore, the review explores the function of cobalamin in microalgae and cyanobacteria and the potential for modification and cocultivation to increase B-12 content in their biomass.