Sage-Tips

What is vitamin B12 composed of?

Vitamin B12 is an octahedral cobalt complex consisting of a porphyrin-like, cobalt-centered macroring (called a corrin ring or nucleus), a nucleotide, and a second cobalt-bound group (e.g., CH3, H2O, CN−).

Is vitamin B12 an element or a compound?

In animals, cobalt is a trace element essential in the nutrition of ruminants (cattle, sheep) and in the maturation of human red blood cells in the form of vitamin B12, the only vitamin known to contain such a heavy element.

What is the full form of vitamin B12?

Cyanocobalamin (commonly known as Vitamin B12) is a highly complex, essential vitamin, owing its name to the fact that it contains the mineral, cobalt. This vitamin is produced naturally by bacteria, and is necessary for DNA synthesis and cellular energy production.

Is B12 a molecule?

This week’s molecule, vitamin B12, contains a cobalt atom, a rarity in natural products. The basic vitamin B12 structure has several chemical forms that differ by the substituent on the central cobalt atom. The one shown in the images, with a cyanide group bonded to cobalt, goes by the name cyanocobalamin.

How is vitamin B12 made?

B12 is synthesized by only certain bacteria and archaeon, but not by plants or animals. The synthesized B12 is transferred and accumulated in animal tissues, even in certain plant tissues via microbial interaction. Meats and milks of herbivorous ruminant animals are good sources of B12 for humans.

Why is B12 called cyanocobalamin?

However, each have a different molecule attached to the cobalt ion. While methylcobalamin contains a methyl group, cyanocobalamin contains a cyanide molecule. Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of vitamin B12 that’s not found in nature ( 2 ).

What is the molecular weight of vitamin B12?

1,355.365 g/mol
Cobalamin/Molar mass

How is methylcobalamin made?

Methylcobalamin can be produced in the laboratory by reducing cyanocobalamin with sodium borohydride in alkaline solution, followed by the addition of methyl iodide.

How is vitamin B metabolized?

Dietary vitamin B12 exists in complex with dietary protein and is decomposed to free vitamin B12 by pepsin in the stomach. Free vitamin B12 is absorbed by the epithelial cells of the small intestine via intrinsic factor (IF), a gastric glycoprotein.

What is vitamin B12 as cyanocobalamin?

Cyanocobalamin is a man-made form of vitamin B12 used to prevent and treat low blood levels of this vitamin. Most people get enough vitamin B12 from their diet. Vitamin B12 is important to maintain the health of your metabolism, blood cells, and nerves.

What is the molecular formula for vitamin B12 complex?

Vitamin B12 complex PubChem CID 24892734 Structure Find Similar Structures Chemical Safety Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary (LCSS Molecular Formula C63H88CoN14O14P Synonyms cyanocobalamin Vitamin B12 complex Dicop

What is B12 (cyanocobalamin)?

Cyanocobalamin (commonly known as Vitamin B12) is a highly complex, essential vitamin, owing its name to the fact that it contains the mineral, cobalt. This vitamin is produced naturally by bacteria, and is necessary for DNA synthesis and cellular energy production.

What is the total amount of vitamin B12 stored in body?

The total amount of vitamin B12 stored in body is about 2–5 mg in adults. Around 50\% of this is stored in the liver. Approximately 0.1\% of this is lost per day by secretions into the gut, as not all these secretions are reabsorbed.

What are the different forms of vitamin B?

The major forms of vitamin B and selected other water soluble vitamins ( biotin, pantothenic acid, choline) are discussed briefly in this record. Cyanocobalamin (commonly known as Vitamin B12) is a highly complex, essential vitamin, owing its name to the fact that it contains the mineral, cobalt.