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Rachel V Thomas

New Spirulina Could Deliver Beef-Level Vitamin B12, Offering A Vegan-Friendly Alternative

Researchers have developed a form of <span>Spirulina</span> containing biologically active <span>vitamin B12</span> at levels comparable to beef. By carefully controlling the light used during cultivation, they overcame a key limitation of conventional Spirulina, which mainly contains a form of B12 that the human body cannot use.

The carbon-neutral system could offer a more sustainable, vegan-friendly source of vitamin B12, particularly for people who avoid meat and dairy.

<h2>A New Source Of Active Vitamin B12</h2>

Researchers from Reichman University in Israel, along with scientists from Iceland, Denmark and Austria, found a way to grow Spirulina that produces biologically active B12.

Published in Discover Food, the study used biotechnology and controlled light conditions to produce nutrient-rich, carbon-neutral Spirulina biomass. The researchers say this is the first reported production of biologically active B12 in Spirulina.

The cultivated biomass contained 1.64 µg of active B12 per 100 grams, compared with 0.7–1.5 µg per 100 grams in beef.

Spirulina, a blue-green cyanobacterium, is already valued for its protein and nutrient content and can be cultivated with a relatively small environmental footprint.

<h2>Why Conventional Spirulina Falls Short</h2>

Vitamin B12 is essential for functions including red blood cell formation and normal nervous system function. More than a billion people worldwide are estimated to have low levels of the vitamin.

Although Spirulina has long been promoted as a sustainable food source, conventional varieties largely contain pseudo-vitamin B12. While chemically similar to the vitamin humans need, this form is not bioavailable and cannot be effectively used by the body.

That has limited conventional Spirulina as a reliable alternative to animal-derived sources of B12.

<h2>Using Light to Change Spirulina’s Nutrition</h2>

The researchers studied a biotechnology platform developed by VAXA Technologies in Iceland. Its key feature is photonic management, which involves precisely adjusting the light environment in which Spirulina grows.

The controlled conditions encouraged the production of biologically active B12 while generating carbon-neutral biomass. The cultivated Spirulina also contained other bioactive compounds associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-related properties.

<h2>Potential for Large-Scale Production</h2>

The researchers modelled possible large-scale production scenarios. In one scenario, reallocating electricity currently used by heavy industry in Iceland could support the production of 277,950 tonnes of Spirulina biomass annually.

They estimate this could contain about 4,555 grams of active B12—enough, based on their calculations, to provide the recommended dietary allowance for more than 13.8 million children aged 1–3.

More ambitious scenarios could potentially meet the B12 RDA for more than 26.5 million children aged 1–3 and more than 50 million infants aged 0–6 months.

These figures are projections rather than current production levels.

<h2>A <span rel="noindex">Sustainable B12 Alternative</span></h2>

The findings suggest that photosynthetically controlled Spirulina could become a sustainable, vegan-friendly source of active vitamin B12, potentially reducing some reliance on animal-based foods.

However, further research, validation and large-scale production are needed to determine whether the technology can become a practical dietary solution for vitamin B12 deficiency.

Health Conditions A-Z

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Spirulina

Vegan Friendly  Spirulina

Spirulina Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12

Sustainable B12 Alternative

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Researchers have developed a form of Spirulina containing biologically active vitamin B12 at levels comparable to beef. By carefully controlling the light used during cultivation, they overcame a key limitation of conventional Spirulina, which mainly contains a form of B12 that the human body cannot use.The carbon-neutral system could offer a more sustainable, vegan-friendly source of vitamin B12, particularly for people who avoid meat and dairy.A New Source Of Active Vitamin B12Researchers from Reichman University in Israel, along with scientists from Iceland, Denmark and Austria, found a way to grow Spirulina that produces biologically active B12.Published in Discover Food, the study used biotechnology and controlled light conditions to produce nutrient-rich, carbon-neutral Spirulina biomass. The researchers say this is the first reported production of biologically active B12 in Spirulina.The cultivated biomass contained 1.64 µg of active B12 per 100 grams, compared with 0.7–1.5 µg per 100 grams in beef.Spirulina, a blue-green cyanobacterium, is already valued for its protein and nutrient content and can be cultivated with a relatively small environmental footprint.Why Conventional Spirulina Falls ShortVitamin B12 is essential for functions including red blood cell formation and normal nervous system function. More than a billion people worldwide are estimated to have low levels of the vitamin.Although Spirulina has long been promoted as a sustainable food source, conventional varieties largely contain pseudo-vitamin B12. While chemically similar to the vitamin humans need, this form is not bioavailable and cannot be effectively used by the body.That has limited conventional Spirulina as a reliable alternative to animal-derived sources of B12.Using Light to Change Spirulina’s NutritionThe researchers studied a biotechnology platform developed by VAXA Technologies in Iceland. Its key feature is photonic management, which involves precisely adjusting the light environment in which Spirulina grows.The controlled conditions encouraged the production of biologically active B12 while generating carbon-neutral biomass. The cultivated Spirulina also contained other bioactive compounds associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-related properties.Potential for Large-Scale ProductionThe researchers modelled possible large-scale production scenarios. In one scenario, reallocating electricity currently used by heavy industry in Iceland could support the production of 277,950 tonnes of Spirulina biomass annually.They estimate this could contain about 4,555 grams of active B12—enough, based on their calculations, to provide the recommended dietary allowance for more than 13.8 million children aged 1–3.More ambitious scenarios could potentially meet the B12 RDA for more than 26.5 million children aged 1–3 and more than 50 million infants aged 0–6 months.These figures are projections rather than current production levels.A Sustainable B12 AlternativeThe findings suggest that photosynthetically controlled Spirulina could become a sustainable, vegan-friendly source of active vitamin B12, potentially reducing some reliance on animal-based foods.However, further research, validation and large-scale production are needed to determine whether the technology can become a practical dietary solution for vitamin B12 deficiency.

new spirulina could deliver beef-level vitamin b12, offering a vegan-friendly alternative

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New Spirulina Could Deliver Beef-Level Vitamin B12, Offering A Vegan-Friendly Alternative

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New Spirulina Could Deliver Beef-Level Vitamin B12, Offering A Vegan-Friendly Alternative

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