1. Cyanocobalamin
Vitamin B12, also known as cyanocobalamin, is a polycyclic compound containing 3-valent cobalt, and the four reduced pyrrole rings are linked together into one big ring of the gourd (similar to porphyrin), which is the only vitamin containing metal elements. Vitamin B12 is a red crystalline powder, odorless and tasteless, slightly soluble in water and ethanol, most stable under weak acid conditions at pH 4.5~5.0, decomposed in strong acid (pH<2) or alkaline solution, and can be damaged to some extent by heat.
Higher plants and animals cannot manufacture vitamin B12, and all vitamin B12 in nature is synthesized by microorganisms.
2. Physiological functions of cyanocobalamin
1. Promote methyl transfer
2. Promote the development and maturation of red blood cells, keep the hematopoietic function of the muscle in the normal state, prevent pernicious anemia; maintain the health of the nervous system
3. In the form of coenzyme, it can increase the utilization of folic acid and promote the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
4. With the role of activation of amino acids and promoting the biosynthesis of nucleic acids can promote protein synthesis, it has an important role in the growth and development of infants and children
5. Metabolize fatty acids, so that fat, carbohydrates, and protein are properly used by the body
6. Eliminate irritability, focus attention, enhance memory and sense of balance
7. It is an indispensable vitamin for the sound function of the nervous system and is involved in the formation of lipoprotein in the nervous tissue.
3. Manufacturers of cyanocobalamin
The supply of cyanocobalamin is mainly concentrated in China, and the cyanocobalamin manufacturers are Hebei Yuxing Bioengineering Co., Ltd, Hebei Huarong Pharmaceutical, Co. Ltd, Ningxia Kingvit Pharmaceutical CO., Ltd, North China Pharmaceutical Group Corp, and Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd. Among them, Hebei Yuxing Bioengineering Co., Ltd has the highest market share at present, and NHU is a new entrant for vitamin b12.
3.1 Hebei Yuxing Bioengineering Co., Ltd
Hebei Yuxing Bioengineering Co., Ltd is a high-tech enterprise, which was established in 2003, built-in 2004, and put into operation in 2005. After more than 10 years of development, it has developed into a world-leading VB12 production and sales base and has a certain international reputation in the VB12 industry and vitamin biological fermentation field.
3.2 Hebei Huarong Pharmaceutical, Co. Ltd
Hebei Huarong Pharmaceutical, Co. Ltd was established in 1993, the company mainly produces and operates vitamin B12, methylcobalamin, adenosine cobalamin, and vitamin B12 feed additives. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd (CSPC), and more than 80% of its products are exported abroad, making it an export-oriented enterprise and a high-tech enterprise in Hebei Province.
3.3 Ningxia Kingvit Pharmaceutical CO., Ltd
Ningxia Kingvit Pharmaceutical CO., Ltd was incorporated in July 2010 and moved to Ningxia Ningdong Energy Chemical Base Chemical New Material Park in Jan. 2020. The company is mainly engaged in the research and development, production, and sales of vitamin series (vitamin B12, methylcobalamin, adenosine cobalamin, vitamin B2) API, pharmaceutical intermediates, additives, and other products.
3.4 North China Pharmaceutical Group Corp
North China Pharmaceutical Group Corp is located in Shijiazhuang City, the capital of Hebei Province. It started to prepare for construction in June 1953 and was put into production in June 1958. it started to produce vitamin b12 in 1993, stopped production in 2017, and resumed production.
3.5 Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd
Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd was founded in 1999 and listed in 2004 (stock code 002001). Since its establishment, the company has always adhered to the concept of innovation-driven development and growth in market competition, focusing on the research and development, production, sales, and services of functional chemicals such as nutritional products, spices, and polymer materials. Its vitamin products mainly include vitamin a, vitamin e, vitamin d3, and coenzyme q10. Later, vitamin b6 and vitamin b12 were added, and b12 entered the market in small quantities in the second quarter of 2022.
4. The production method of cyanocobalamin
The main method of vitamin B12 production in microbial fermentation. At present, the industrial production of vitamin B12 is mainly carried out by anaerobic fermentation using Propionibacterium fischeri and Propionibacterium spp. and aerobic fermentation using Pseudomonas denitrificans.
5. Summary
The manufacturers of vitamin B12 are Hebei Yuxing Bioengineering Co., Ltd, Hebei Huarong Pharmaceutical, Co. Ltd, Ningxia Kingvit Pharmaceutical CO., Ltd, North China Pharmaceutical Group Corp, and Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd. Among them, Hebei Yuxing Bioengineering Co., Ltd has the highest market share at present, and NHU is a new entrant.
Vitamin B12 is mainly made through microbial fermentation.
