Scientists discovered that a special bacteria called Ectopseudomonas alcaliphila can produce vitamin B12, an important nutrient that our bodies need. Researchers tested different forms of B12 to see which ones work best in the body. They found that one form called AdoCbl works better than the others. This discovery is exciting because it could help scientists create new ways to make B12 in laboratories, which might make this important vitamin easier and cheaper to produce for people who need it.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a special bacteria that lives in extreme conditions can make vitamin B12, and which forms of B12 work best in the body
  • Who participated: No human participants. Scientists used laboratory bacteria (E. coli and Ectopseudomonas alcaliphila) and tested them in controlled experiments
  • Key finding: The bacteria successfully produced vitamin B12, and one form called AdoCbl worked much better than other forms. The bacteria-made B12 worked almost as well as pure B12 in lab tests
  • What it means for you: This research is early-stage laboratory work. It may eventually help scientists create B12 more efficiently in factories, but it’s not ready for human use yet. If you need B12, continue using your current sources

The Research Details

Scientists used a special bacteria that can survive in very harsh conditions to see if it could make vitamin B12. They extracted B12 from the bacteria and tested it multiple ways: first by checking if it was really B12 using special machines, then by testing if it worked in enzyme reactions (the chemical processes in our bodies), and finally by putting it into other bacteria to see if it helped them work better. This three-level approach—lab tests, computer simulations, and living bacteria tests—gave them confidence in their results.

Testing B12 in multiple ways is important because it shows the vitamin actually works in real biological systems, not just in test tubes. The computer simulations helped explain why certain forms of B12 worked better than others. This multi-method approach makes the findings more trustworthy and shows the bacteria could be useful for making B12 in the future

This is laboratory research published in a respected scientific journal. The scientists used established testing methods and confirmed their results using different techniques. However, this is very early-stage research done only in bacteria and test tubes—it hasn’t been tested in humans yet. The study is solid science but represents a first step, not a ready-to-use solution

What the Results Show

The bacteria successfully made vitamin B12—about 7 micrograms per gram of dried bacteria. When scientists tested three different forms of B12 (AdoCbl, MeCbl, and CNCbl), they found a clear ranking of effectiveness: AdoCbl worked best, MeCbl was in the middle, and CNCbl worked least well. When they added different amounts of B12 to bacteria, more B12 generally meant better results, but there was a sweet spot around 500 nanomoles where performance peaked. The crude B12 extract from the bacteria worked almost as well as pure AdoCbl, showing the bacteria-made B12 was genuinely active and useful.

When scientists inserted a special pathway into the bacteria to make a chemical called 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), the bacteria that made their own B12 produced significant amounts of this chemical without needing extra B12 added. This shows the bacteria can both make and use B12 effectively on its own. Computer modeling revealed why AdoCbl fit better into the enzyme structures than the other forms, explaining the performance differences

This research builds on existing knowledge that only certain bacteria can make B12 from scratch. Previous work showed different B12 forms have different activities, but this study provides detailed evidence of how much better AdoCbl performs compared to other forms. The finding that this extremophile bacteria produces B12 adds a new potential source for industrial production

This research was only done in laboratory conditions with bacteria—not in animals or humans. The sample sizes and specific bacterial quantities aren’t detailed in the abstract. The study doesn’t show whether this bacteria could be scaled up for real-world B12 production or whether it would be cost-effective. Long-term stability and safety of the bacteria-produced B12 in real applications hasn’t been tested

The Bottom Line

This is fundamental research with moderate confidence in its findings within laboratory settings. It suggests that this bacteria could potentially be developed as a B12 production system, but much more research is needed before any practical applications. Current recommendation: Continue using established B12 sources (foods, supplements, or injections as prescribed by doctors)

Scientists and biotechnology companies interested in sustainable B12 production should follow this research. People with B12 deficiency should not change their current treatment based on this study. This is most relevant to researchers working on industrial fermentation and sustainable nutrient production

This is very early-stage research. If development continues, it could take 5-10+ years before any practical applications emerge. Don’t expect to see bacteria-produced B12 supplements in stores anytime soon

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you currently track B12 intake, continue monitoring your B12 levels through blood tests as recommended by your doctor. Note the date of this research to track when new B12 production methods might become available
  • No immediate behavior changes are recommended based on this research. If you’re interested in sustainable nutrition production, you could follow biotechnology news sources that report on fermentation-based nutrient production
  • For people with B12 deficiency: maintain your current monitoring schedule with your healthcare provider. For researchers: monitor scientific publications for follow-up studies on this bacteria’s B12 production capabilities and scaling potential

This is early-stage laboratory research and has not been tested in humans. It does not provide medical advice or treatment recommendations. If you have vitamin B12 deficiency or are considering changes to your B12 supplementation, consult with your healthcare provider. This research represents a potential future direction for B12 production but is not yet applicable to clinical practice or consumer products. Do not attempt to use this bacteria or its products without professional medical guidance.