PRODUCTION OF

VITAMIN B12
BY
Vaddamanu.Bhuvaneswari
2020BTT03034
 VITAMIN
A vitamin is an organic molecule(or related set of
molecules) that is an essential micronutrient
which an organism needs in small quantities for
the proper functioning of its metabolism.
Essential nutrients cannot be synthesized in the
organism, either at all or not in sufficient
quantities and therefore must be obtain through
the diet.
 CLASSIFICATION OF VITAMINS
 Vitamins can be classified as “Fat soluble vitamins” and “Water
soluble vitamins”.
FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS
 Vitamin A(Retinol)  Vitamin B Complex
 Vitamin D − Vitamin B1(Thiamine)
 Vitamin E(Tocopherol) − Vitamin B2(Riboflavin)
 Vitamin K(Phylloquinone) − Vitamin B3(Niacin)
− Vitamin B5(Pantothenic acid)
– Vitamin B6(Pyridoxine)
− Vitamin B7(Biotin)
− Vitamin B9(Folic Acid)
− Vitamin B12(Cobalamin)
 Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
 VITAMIN B12
Vitamin B12 ,also known as cobalamin.
It is a water –soluble vitamin involved in metabolism of
cells of the human body.
It is one of eight B vitamins.
It is a cofactor in DNA synthesis, and in both fatty acid and
amino acid metabolism.
It is important in
 Normal functioning of the nervous system and
 In the maturation of developing red blood cells
in the bone marrow.
 Production of Vitamin B12 by fermentation

Industrial production of B12 is achieved through fermentation

using of selected microorganisms.
The species used for fermentation processor are
1.Pseudomonas denitrificans
2.Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp.shermanii
These are grown under special conditions to enhance yield.
Bacteria, do not produce any exotoxins or endotoxin.
They are generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug
Administration of United States.
 Production of Vitamin B12 by
fermentation

Inoculum
1.Pseudomonas denitrificans or
2.Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp.shermanii
Medium
Glucose
Corn steep
Betain
Cobalt
5,6 dimethyl benzimidazole(for P.dentrificans)
pH - 7.5
Temperature 300C
Factors Affecting sludge digestion process

 Temperature
1.Most methane-forming bacteria are active in two
temperature ranges.
2.These ranges are the mesophilic range from 30 to 35o C.
3. The thermophilic range from 50 to 60o C.
4. At temperatures between 40oc and 50oc, ethane
forming bacteria are inhibited.
Factors Affecting sludge digestion process

 pH value
1.When the digester pH is 7.2 or lower, the presence of
NH4+ is favoured.
2.When the digester pH is greater than 7.2, the presence of
NH3 is favoured.
3.Dissolved ammonia gas or NH3 is toxic to bacteria,
especially methane forming bacteria.
Factors Affecting sludge digestion process

Nutrients
1.Macronutrients
A. The two main macronutrients are nitrogen and
phosphorous.
2. Micronutrients
A. Methane-forming bacteria possess several unique enzyme
systems.
B. The need for several micronutrients especially cobalt, iron,
nickel, and sulfide, is critical.
Factors Affecting sludge digestion process

Mixing
1.Mixing enhance the digestion process by distributing
bacteria, substrate, and nutrients throughout the digester as well
as equalizing temperature.
2. Methane-forming bacteria are very sensitive to rapid
mixing. if rapid mixing continuously washes out methane
forming bacteria in the effluent.
Factors Affecting sludge digestion process

 Seeding
1.To seed an anaerobic digester with an adequate population
of facultative anaerobes and anaerobes including methane
forming bacteria, a ratio 1:10 of secondary sludge to primary
sludge may be used.
2. Without seeding it may take a few months to get the tank
operational.
3. Proper seeding will help attain quick balance of reactions.
 Advantages of Anaerobic Digestors

It produces methane and carbon dioxide which can be

collected and used as fuel.
Reduces the volatile content of sludge.
Liquid is more easily dewatered as liquid and solids from
separate layers.
Reduction in number of pathogens.
 Disadvantages of Anaerobic Digestors

Needs constant supervision.

Formation of explosive gases.
Not easily controllable.
Maintenance and cleaning in difficult.
It is a slow process.