Vitamin B12
Essential Cofactor in Nucleic Acid Synthesis: Vitamin B12 functions as an indispensable coenzyme in nucleic acid biosynthesis, facilitating cellular proliferation and division.
Neurological Function Maintenance: This vitamin is critical for preventing neurological complications associated with its deficiency, particularly peripheral neuropathy.
Erythropoietic Support: Vitamin B12 deficiency may result in megaloblastic anemia, while adequate supplementation supports normal erythropoiesis.
Natural Dietary Sources: The vitamin is predominantly obtained from animal-derived products including meat, fish, hepatic tissue, and dairy commodities, providing essential nutritional requirements for human health.
Vitamin B12, conventionally designated as VB12 or cobalamin, constitutes a group of cobalt-containing corrinoid complex organic compounds within the B vitamin category. A trivalent cobalt ion coordinates at the center of a corrin macrocycle, structurally analogous to porphyrin rings. This molecule represents the most voluminous and structurally intricate vitamin identified to date, being uniquely characterized by metal ion incorporation among vitamins. Its crystalline form exhibits red pigmentation, justifying its alternative designation as the red vitamin. In contrast to animals, plants neither contain nor biosynthesize VB12. Hepatic tissue represents the most concentrated natural source, with substantial quantities present in dairy products, meat, eggs, and piscine resources.
Melting point | >300°C |
alpha | 23656 -59 ± 9° (dil aq soln) |
Boiling point | >300 °C |
bulk density | 450-600kg/m3 |
Fp | 9℃ |
storage temp. | 2-8°C |
solubility | Sparingly soluble in water and in ethanol (96 per cent), practically insoluble in acetone. The anhydrous substance is very hygroscopic. |
pka | pKa 3.28±0.04(H2O,D2O t=23±0.5 Iunspeci?ed) (Uncertain) |
form | Crystalline Powder or Crystals |
color | Red to dark red |
Odor | dark red cryst. or powd., odorless and tasteless |
PH | 6.0 (20°C, 1g/L in H2O) |
biological source | synthetic ((organic)) |
Water Solubility | Soluble |
Sensitive | Hygroscopic |
Merck | 1410014 |
BRN | 4122889 |
Exposure limits | NIOSH: IDLH 25 mg/m3 |
Stability: | Hygroscopic. Keep cold and dry. |
InChIKey | RMRCNWBMXRMIRW-WZHZPDAFSA-L |
LogP | 3.570 (est) |
EPA Substance Registry System | Vitamin B12 (68-19-9) |
Safety Information | |
Hazard Codes | |
HS Code | 2936260000 |
Hazardous Substances Data | 68-19-9(Hazardous Substances Data) |
Toxicity | LD50 intravenous in mouse: 2gm/kg |
Functioning as an essential enzymatic cofactor, VB12 participates in both ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid biosynthesis. Deficiency states may precipitate neurological pathologies affecting both peripheral and central nervous systems. The fundamental architectural framework of these natural cobalt coordination compounds is classified as corrinoids. Structural variations among vitamin B12 derivatives are exclusively determined by the β-ligand configuration coordinated to the cobalt center, collectively termed cobalamins. Industrial production predominantly relies on bacterial biosynthesis. Principal dietary sources encompass piscine, meat, hepatic, and dairy commodities, while plant-derived foods contain negligible cobalamin concentrations. Both methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin serve as enzymatic cofactors that undergo metabolic conversion to biologically active forms. Profound deficiency can manifest as megaloblastic anemia and potential neurological deterioration.
