GB819046A - Improvements in or relating to the preparation of cyano-cobalamine - Google Patents

Abstract

Cyano-cobalamine is prepared from a liquid suspension or solution containing at least one substance of the cobalamine group, in a process wherein the starting material is first treated with sulphite ions, followed by increasing the content of the vitamins of the B12 group to at least 200 times that in the starting material, in volumetric terms, by means of extraction, adsorption and elution processes followed by evaporation under reduced pressure, and the concentrated solution treated with cyanide ions, the cyano-cobalamine produced being finally isolated in crystalline form. The suspension or solution containing a substance of the cobalamine group may be a fermentation liquor prepared for the purpose of producing Vitamin B12, a sludge or residue from methane fermentation, an activated sludge or a liquid fish preparation. The fermentation sludge is heated in aqueous suspension in the presence of sulphite ions and the B12 active substances adsorbed in montmorillonite. Subsequent adsorption on charcoal, extraction and evaporation are also effected in the presence of sulphito ions. When the sulphito-cobalamine content reaches 1 g/Kg in relation to dry substance conversion of cyano-cobalamine may be effected. All subsequent steps are then carried out in the presence of cyanide ions. This may take place in cellulose columns, butanol being used for the separation in the presence of cyanide ions. Examples describe the preparation of Vitamin B12 extracts from fermentation sludges and from bacterial cultures. Specifications 681,503, 693,125, 727,146, 745,504, 748,043, 765,537 and 767,630 are referred to.