External view of the photobioreactors described in this study. Credit: Discover Food (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s44187-024-00152-1
A new study has revealed that a specially cultivated form of Spirulina may overcome one of its biggest nutritional limitations by producing biologically active vitamin B12 at levels comparable to beef. Researchers believe the breakthrough could reshape future approaches to sustainable nutrition and help address global vitamin B12 deficiency.
The study, published in Discover Food, was led by Dr. Asaf Tzachor in collaboration with researchers from Iceland, Denmark, and Austria.
Researchers Develop Light-controlled Spirulina Cultivation System
The research team studied a specialised cultivation method known as photosynthetically controlled Spirulina. Unlike conventional Spirulina, which mainly contains pseudo-vitamin B12 that the human body cannot absorb effectively, the newly developed version produced biologically active vitamin B12.
According to the researchers, this marks the first time scientists have identified active vitamin B12 in Spirulina.
To achieve this, researchers used a biotechnology system developed by VAXA Technologies. In this system, Spirulina grows inside enclosed photobioreactors under carefully controlled artificial light conditions.
Importantly, the scientists altered the algae’s metabolism through light manipulation rather than genetic modification.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Remains a Major Global Health Concern
Researchers highlighted that vitamin B12 deficiency remains one of the world’s most common micronutrient deficiencies, affecting more than one billion people globally.
Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in DNA production, nerve function, and red blood cell formation. Severe deficiency can lead to anaemia, nerve damage, memory impairment, and developmental problems in infants.
Currently, most natural sources of vitamin B12 come from animal products such as meat and dairy. However, expanding livestock production to address nutritional deficiencies creates significant environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, excessive land use, and high water consumption.
Conventional Spirulina Previously Failed to Solve B12 Deficiency
Although Spirulina has long attracted attention for its high protein content, essential amino acids, iron, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, its usefulness as a vitamin B12 source remained limited.
Researchers explained that traditional Spirulina mainly contains pseudo-vitamin B12, also known as cobamide, which closely resembles vitamin B12 chemically but is not bioavailable to humans.
As a result, conventional Spirulina could not effectively help prevent or treat vitamin B12 deficiency.
New Spirulina Produced Active B12 Comparable to Beef
As reported by SciTech Daily, the new cultivation method produced remarkable results. Researchers found that the specially grown Spirulina biomass contained biologically active vitamin B12 at concentrations comparable to beef.
The cultivated Spirulina contained approximately 1.64 micrograms of active vitamin B12 per 100 grams, while beef typically contains between 0.7 and 1.5 micrograms per 100 grams.
Furthermore, more than 98% of the vitamin B12 present in the Spirulina remained in its active form, representing a major improvement over traditional Spirulina products.
Researchers also observed that the vitamin B12 profile remained stable during nine months of continuous cultivation, demonstrating the reliability of the process over time.
Speaking about the findings, Dr. Tzachor said, “The findings demonstrate that photosynthetically controlled Spirulina can produce desirable levels of active vitamin B12, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional animal-source foods.”
Researchers Explore Large-scale Sustainable Production
The research team also explored the potential for large-scale industrial production in Iceland, where renewable geothermal and hydroelectric energy sources dominate electricity generation.
According to their projections, redirecting electricity currently used by heavy industry could enable Iceland to produce approximately 306,400 US tons of Spirulina biomass annually.
This level of production could generate enough active vitamin B12 to meet the recommended dietary requirements for more than 13.8 million children aged one to three years. Under more ambitious production scenarios, researchers estimated the system could support the nutritional needs of over 26.5 million children aged one to three years and more than 50 million infants aged up to six months.
Study Highlights Sustainable Alternative to Animal-based Nutrition
Overall, the findings suggest that photosynthetically controlled Spirulina could provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to animal-derived vitamin B12 sources.
Researchers believe the technology may help address global vitamin B12 deficiency while simultaneously reducing dependence on environmentally intensive meat and dairy production systems.