Vitamin B12, abbreviated as VB12, also known as cobalamin, is one of the B vitamins. It is a complex organic compound containing cobalt, which contains trivalent cobalt in the center of the porphyrin-like plane of the porphyrin. It is the largest and most complex vitamin molecule that has been discovered so far, and it is also the only vitamin that contains metal ions; its crystals are red, so it is also called Chemicalbook red vitamin. Plants do not contain VB12 and cannot make VB12. The liver is the best source of VB12, followed by milk, meat, eggs, and fish. VB12 is an essential coenzyme in the synthesis of RNA and DNA. VB12 deficiency in the body can cause pathological changes in the nervous system such as peripheral nerves and central encephalopathy.
Application of VB12 in feed can promote the growth and development of poultry, livestock, especially young birds and young animals, and improve the utilization rate of feed protein, so it can be used as a feed additive. Treatment of fish eggs or fry with VB12 aqueous solution can increase fish’s tolerance to toxic substances such as benzene and heavy metals in water, and reduce mortality. Since the “Mad Cow Disease” incident in Europe, there has been more room for development to replace “meal and bone meal” with nutritionally fortified agents with clear chemical structures such as vitamins. Most of the VB12 produced in the world is currently used in the feed industry.
Vitamin B12 participates in the metabolism of many substances in livestock, poultry, and fish in the form of coenzymes. Vitamin B12 is not only involved in the metabolism of carbon groups in livestock, poultry, and fish, but also in the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins in livestock, poultry, and fish, which promotes the development and maturation of cells and accelerates the growth of livestock, poultry, and fish. When vitamin B12 is deficient, the utilization of sugar in livestock, poultry, and fish tissues is impaired. Livestock, poultry, and fish show anorexia, slow growth or weightlessness, severe weight loss, pica, and extreme anemia. Therefore, vitamin B12 additive has been widely used in the feed industry as an indispensable ingredient in livestock, poultry and fish feed.
Post time: Mar-12-2020