Comparative Review of the Thiochrome, Microbial and Protozoan Analyses of B-Vitamins

1978 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 730-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL N. VOIGT ◽  
RONALD R. EITENMILLER
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Pantothenic Acid ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
Specific Stimulation ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin Analysis

A comparative review of the specificities of various B-vitamin analysis methods is presented. Methods of vitamin analysis employing protozoa, viz. Tetrahymena and Ochromonas, are compared to the commonly used methods of vitamin assay, including officially accepted methods. Since 1968 the protozoan techniques have routinely been used to evaluate clinical vitamin status. This is due to their more mammalian-like response to the various forms of the vitamins that occur in natural materials. Protozoa have more developed ingestive and digestive systems than bacteria and yeast, which allow them to respond to conjugated forms of the vitamins (e.g. thiamin pyrophosphate and folic acid polyglutamates). Also, fewer problems are encountered with non-specific stimulation (e.g. fatty acid stimulation of the Lactobacillus casei assay for riboflavin or the sparing of the vitamin B12 requirement of Lactobacillus leichmannii by deoxyribosides). Application of the protozoan methods to analysis of foods indicate significantly lower levels of biotin and vitamin B12 than official methods, while significantly higher levels of riboflavin, vitamin B6, niacin and pantothenic acid are found in low-acid foods. This review also summarizes extraction methods for the B-vitamins from food samples and indicates the importance of enzymatic hydrolysis in extract preparation.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a fortified drink in improving B vitamin biomarkers in older adults: a controlled intervention trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Heffernan ◽  
Leanne C. Doherty ◽  
Roberta Hack Mendes ◽  
Michelle Clarke ◽  
Stephanie Hodge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin

Abstract Background Older adults are reported to have sub-optimal B vitamin status; targeted food-based solutions may help to address this. The objectives of the OptiAge food intervention study were to develop and investigate the effectiveness of a B vitamin-fortified drink in improving B vitamin biomarkers in older Irish adults with a primary outcome of change in the B vitamin biomarker status. Methods A double-blinded randomised controlled trial was performed in parallel at University College Dublin and Ulster University. Participants aged > 50 years were recruited following screening for exclusion criteria (i.e. taking medications known to interfere with B vitamin metabolism, supplements containing B vitamins, consuming > 4 portions of B vitamin-fortified foods per week or diagnosed with gastrointestinal, liver or pulmonary disease). Recruited participants meeting the inclusion criteria were randomised (by sex and study centre) to receive daily for 16 weeks either B vitamin-fortified or placebo drinks as developed by Smartfish, Norway. Each B vitamin-fortified drink (200 ml) contained 200 µg folic acid, 10 µg vitamin B12, 10 mg vitamin B6 and 5 mg riboflavin, while the placebo was an identical, isocaloric formulation without added B vitamins. Fasting blood samples were collected pre- and post-intervention which were used to measure the primary outcome of change in B vitamin biomarker levels. Results A total of 95 participants were randomised, of which 81 commenced the trial. Of these, 70 completed (37 in the active and 33 in the placebo groups). Intention to treat (ITT) analysis of the B vitamins demonstrated a significant improvement in all B vitamin biomarkers in the active compared to placebo groups: p < 0.01 for each of serum folate, serum vitamin B12 and plasma pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (vitamin B6) and the functional riboflavin biomarker, erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac). Correspondingly, a significant lowering of serum homocysteine from 11.9 (10.3–15.1) µmol/L to 10.6 (9.4–13.0) µmol/L was observed in response to the active treatment (P < 0.001). Similar results were seen in a per-protocol analysis. Conclusions The results demonstrate that a B vitamin-fortified drink was effective in optimising B vitamin status, making this a useful intervention option to improve B vitamin status in older adults. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN61709781—Retrospectively registered, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN61709781

scholarly journals Adaptive laboratory evolution and reverse engineering of single-vitamin prototrophies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Perli ◽  
Dewi P.I. Moonen ◽  
Marcel van den Broek ◽  
Jack T. Pronk ◽  
Jean-Marc Daran
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Nicotinic Acid ◽  
Specific Growth ◽  
Pantothenic Acid ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Fast Growth ◽  
Adaptive Laboratory Evolution ◽  
Laboratory Evolution ◽  
B Vitamin

AbstractQuantitative physiological studies on Saccharomyces cerevisiae commonly use synthetic media (SM) that contain a set of water-soluble growth factors that, based on their roles in human nutrition, are referred to as B-vitamins. Previous work demonstrated that, in S. cerevisiae CEN.PK113-7D, requirements for biotin could be eliminated by laboratory evolution. In the present study, this laboratory strain was shown to exhibit suboptimal specific growth rates when either inositol, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, para-aminobenzoic acid (pABA) or thiamine were omitted from SM. Subsequently, this strain was evolved in parallel serial-transfer experiments for fast aerobic growth on glucose in the absence of individual B-vitamins. In all evolution lines, specific growth rates reached at least 90 % of the growth rate observed in SM supplemented with a complete B-vitamin mixture. Fast growth was already observed after a few transfers on SM without myo-inositol, nicotinic acid or pABA. Reaching similar results in SM lacking thiamine, pyridoxine or pantothenate required over 300 generations of selective growth. The genomes of evolved single-colony isolates were re-sequenced and, for each B-vitamin, a subset of non-synonymous mutations associated with fast vitamin-independent growth were selected. These mutations were introduced in a non-evolved reference strain using CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. For each B-vitamin, introduction of a small number of mutations sufficed to achieve substantially a increased specific growth rate in non-supplemented SM that represented at least 87% of the specific growth rate observed in fully supplemented complete SM.ImportanceMany strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a popular platform organism in industrial biotechnology, carry the genetic information required for synthesis of biotin, thiamine, pyridoxine, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid and inositol. However, omission of these B-vitamins typically leads to suboptimal growth. This study demonstrates that, for each individual B-vitamin, it is possible to achieve fast vitamin-independent growth by adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE). Identification of mutations responsible for these fast-growing phenotype by whole-genome sequencing and reverse engineering showed that, for each compound, a small number of mutations sufficed to achieve fast growth in its absence. These results form an important first step towards development of S. cerevisiae strains that exhibit fast growth on cheap, fully mineral media that only require complementation with a carbon source, thereby reducing costs, complexity and contamination risks in industrial yeast fermentation processes.

scholarly journals Nutrition and the psychoneuroimmunology of postpartum depression

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Ellsworth-Bowers ◽  
E. J. Corwin
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Trace Minerals ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Micronutrient Status ◽  
B Vitamin

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a relatively common and often severe mood disorder that develops in women after childbirth. The aetiology of PPD is unclear, although there is emerging evidence to suggest a psychoneuroimmune connection. Additionally, deficiencies in n-3 PUFA, B vitamins, vitamin D and trace minerals have been implicated. This paper reviews evidence for a link between micronutrient status and PPD, analysing the potential contribution of each micronutrient to psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms of PPD. Articles related to PPD and women's levels of n-3 PUFA, B vitamins, vitamin D and the trace minerals Zn and Se were reviewed. Findings suggest that while n-3 PUFA levels have been shown to vary inversely with PPD and link with psychoneuroimmunology, there is mixed evidence regarding the ability of n-3 PUFA to prevent or treat PPD. B vitamin status is not clearly linked to PPD, even though it seems to vary inversely with depression in non-perinatal populations and may have an impact on immunity. Vitamin D and the trace minerals Zn and Se are linked to PPD and psychoneuroimmunology by intriguing, but small, studies. Overall, evidence suggests that certain micronutrient deficiencies contribute to the development of PPD, possibly through psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms. Developing a better understanding of these mechanisms is important for guiding future research, clinical practice and health education regarding PPD.

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal variability in the response of phytoplankton and prokaryotes to B-vitamin amendments in an upwelling system

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 2807-2823
Author(s):  
Vanessa Joglar ◽  
Antero Prieto ◽  
Esther Barber-Lluch ◽  
Marta Hernández-Ruiz ◽  
Emilio Fernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Growth Stimulation ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Inorganic Nutrients ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Response Patterns ◽  
Coastal Station ◽  
Chl A ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
Microbial Plankton

Abstract. We experimentally evaluated the temporal (interday and interseason) and spatial variability in microbial plankton responses to vitamin B12 and/or B1 supply (solely or in combination with inorganic nutrients) in coastal and oceanic waters of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Phytoplankton and, to a lesser extent, prokaryotes were strongly limited by inorganic nutrients. Interday variability in microbial plankton responses to B vitamins was limited compared to interseason variability, suggesting that B-vitamin availability might be partially controlled by factors operating at seasonal scale. Chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration and prokaryote biomass (PB) significantly increased after B-vitamin amendments in 13 % and 21 %, respectively, of the 216 cases (36 experiments × 6 treatments). Most of these positive responses were produced by treatments containing either B12 solely or B12 combined with B1 in oceanic waters, which was consistent with the significantly lower average vitamin-B12 ambient concentrations compared to that in the coastal station. Negative responses, implying a decrease in Chl a or PB, represented 21 % for phytoplankton and 26 % for prokaryotes. Growth stimulation by B1 addition was more frequent on prokaryotes than in phytoplankton, suggesting that B1 auxotrophy in the sampling area could be more widespread in prokaryotes than in phytoplankton. Negative responses to B vitamins were generalized in coastal surface waters in summer and were associated with a high contribution of Flavobacteriales to the prokaryote community. This observation suggests that the external supply of B12 and/or B1 may promote negative interactions between microbial components when B-vitamin auxotrophs are abundant. The microbial response patterns to B12 and/or B1 amendments were significantly correlated with changes in the prokaryotic community composition, highlighting the pivotal role of prokaryotes in B-vitamin cycling in marine ecosystems.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Acute Postprandial Circulating B-Vitamin and Vitamer Responses to Single Breakfast Meals in Young and Older Individuals: Preliminary Secondary Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaja Sharma ◽  
Nicola Gillies ◽  
Shikha Pundir ◽  
Chantal A. Pileggi ◽  
James F. Markworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Pantothenic Acid ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Flavin Mononucleotide ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
B Vitamin

B-vitamin deficiency is common in ageing populations either due to altered dietary habits or altered digestive and metabolic functions. There is limited data on the acute circulating concentrations of B-vitamins and their various forms (vitamers), following ingestion of realistic meals. This study compared the acute circulating B-vitamin and vitamer responses to either an energy-dense (ED) or a nutrient-dense (ND) breakfast meal, consumed in a randomized cross-over sequence, in older and younger adults (n = 15 and 15, aged 67.3 ± 1.5 and 22.7 ± 0.5 years (mean ± SEM), respectively). Eleven differing B-vitamins and vitamers were determined in plasma samples by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, in the fasting and postprandial state (hourly for 5 h). While postprandial thiamine concentration increased following both meals, riboflavin increased only following a ND meal in both age groups. Many vitamins including nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal-5’phosphate, and 4-pyridoxic acid remained unaltered, and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), nicotinamide and nicotinuric acid concentrations reduced following both meals. Biological age and food composition had minimal impact on postprandial B-vitamin concentrations, yet the differences between the ED and ND meals for riboflavin highlight the importance of riboflavin intake to achieve adequacy.

scholarly journals The Effect of Whey and Soy Protein Isolates on Cognitive Function in Older Australians with Low Vitamin B12: A Randomised Controlled Crossover Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Zajac ◽  
Danielle Herreen ◽  
Kathryn Bastiaans ◽  
Varinderpal Dhillon ◽  
Michael Fenech
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Soy Protein ◽  
Crossover Trial ◽  
Soy Protein Isolate ◽  
Protein Isolate ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
B Vitamin

Whey protein isolate (WPI) is high in vitamin B12 and folate. These and other related markers (holotranscobalamin, methylmalonic acid and homocysteine) have been linked with cognitive health. This study explored the efficacy of WPI for improving cognitive function via delivery of vitamin B12. Moderately vitamin B12-deficient participants aged between 45 and 75 years (n = 56) were recruited into this randomised controlled crossover trial. Participants (55% female) consumed 50 g whey (WPI; active) or soy protein isolate (SPI; control) for eight weeks. Following a 16-week washout phase, they consumed the alternative supplement. Consumption of WPI significantly improved active B12 and folate status but did not result in direct improvements in cognitive function. However, there was evidence of improvement in reaction time (p = 0.02) and reasoning speed (p = 0.04) in the SPI condition for females. Additional analyses showed that changes in active B12, HcY and folate measures during WPI treatment correlated with improvements in cognitive function (all p < 0.05). Results indicate that WPI itself did not result in improved cognitive function but some evidence of benefit of SPI for females was found. However, consistent with previous research, we present further evidence of a role for active B12, HcY and folate in supporting cognitive improvement in adults with low B vitamin status.

Biochemical indexes of the B vitamins in cord serum are predicted by maternal B vitamin status

2005 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rima Obeid ◽  
Winfried Munz ◽  
Monika Jäger ◽  
Werner Schmidt ◽  
Wolfgang Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
B Vitamins ◽  
Cord Serum ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin

Homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 in relation to pre- and postnatal health aspects

2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rima Obeid ◽  
Wolfgang Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Pregnancy Complications ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
Early Abortion

AbstractStudies linking hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) and B-vitamin deficiency to some health aspects in children have been accumulating. Low B-vitamin status inearly life, even as early as the time of conception, may endanger the potential for new life and may negatively influence the health of the offspring. Early abortion, pregnancy complications and poor pregnancy outcomes have been linked to elevated concentrations of total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and low folate or vitamin B

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Fortified Drink in Improving B Vitamin Biomarkers in Older Adults: A Controlled Intervention Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Heffernan ◽  
Leanne C Doherty ◽  
Roberta Hack Mendes ◽  
Michelle Clarke ◽  
Stephanie Hodge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
B Vitamin ◽  
To Receive

Abstract BackgroundOlder adults are reported to have sub-optimal B vitamin status; targeted food-based solutions may help to address this. The objectives of the OptiAge food intervention study were to develop and investigate the effectiveness of a B vitamin-fortified drink in improving B vitamin biomarkers in older Irish adults with a primary outcome of change in B vitamin biomarker concentrations.MethodsA multicentre double-blind randomised controlled trial was performed in University College Dublin and Ulster University. Participants aged > 50 years were recruited following screening for exclusion criteria i.e. taking medications known to interfere with B vitamin metabolism, supplements containing B vitamins, consuming >4 portions of B-vitamin fortified foods per week or diagnosed with gastrointestinal, liver or pulmonary disease. Recruited participants were randomised with gender and centre as factors in the randomisation to receive either B vitamin-fortified or placebo drinks (developed by Smartfish, Norway) daily for 16 weeks.ResultsA total of 95 participants were randomised, of which 81 commenced the trial. Of these, 70 completed - 37 in the active and 33 in the placebo groups. Intention to treat (ITT) analysis of the B vitamins demonstrated a significant improvement in all B vitamins biomarkers in the active compared to placebo groups (p<0.01 for Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, and Riboflavin). A significant lowering of plasma homocysteine from 11.9 (10.3-15.1) µmol/L to 10.6 (9.4-13.0) µmol/L (functional marker of B vitamin status) was also observed in response to the active treatment (P<0.001). Similar results were seen in a per-protocol analysis.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that a B vitamin-fortified drink was effective in optimising B vitamin status, making this a useful intervention strategy to improve B vitamin status in older adults. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN61709781. - Retrospectively registered, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN61709781

scholarly journals B-VITAMIN THERAPY FOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS LOWERS HOMOCYSTEINE AND IMPROVES SELECTIVE COGNITIVE OUTCOMES IN THE RANDOMIZED FAVORIT ANCILLARY COGNITIVE TRIAL

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
T.M. Scott ◽  
G. Rogers ◽  
D.E. Weiner ◽  
K. Livingston ◽  
J. Selhub ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Kidney Transplant ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Transplant Recipients ◽  
Kidney Transplant Recipients ◽  
Vitamin Status ◽  
Vitamin Therapy ◽  
B Vitamin

Background: Objectives: Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and dementia. Results of clinical trials using B-vitamins to reduce the cognitive risks attributed to tHcy have been inconsistent. The high prevalence of both hyperhomocysteinemia and cognitive impairment among kidney transplant recipients makes them an important population in which to evaluate the effect of lowering homocysteine on cognitive function. We therefore evaluated whether B-vitamin therapy to lower tHcy would prevent cognitive-decline in a cohort of stable kidney transplant recipients. Design: The study was a longitudinal ancillary of the FAVORIT trial, a randomized, placebo-controlled multi-site trial of high-dose B vitamins to reduce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in clinically stable kidney transplant recipients with elevated tHcy. Participants: 584 participants from 18 sites across North America. Intervention: The intervention consisted of a daily multivitamin containing high-doses of folate (5.0 mg), vitamin B12 (1.0 mg) and vitamin B6 (50 mg). The placebo consisted of a daily multi-vitamin containing no folate and recommended daily allowances of vitamins B12 and B6 (0 mg folate; 2.0 µg vitamin B12; 1.4 mg vitamin B6). Measurements: Annual neuropsychological assessment for up to 5 years (mean 3.3 years) using a standardized test battery. Efficacy was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis using end-of-trial data. Subgroup analyses included stratification for baseline plasma B-vitamin and tHcy concentrations. Results: At baseline, cognitive impairment was common with 61% of participants falling more than one standard deviation below published norms for at least one cognitive test. Fewer than 1% of participants had insufficient plasma folate < 5 ng/ml or vitamin B12 < 148 pmol/L. However, 44.6% had plasma B6 concentrations < 30 nmol/L. At follow-up, processing speed and memory scores were modestly but significantly better in the B-vitamin supplement group than in controls (p≤0.05). There was no interaction between baseline tHcy, B-vitamin status and treatment on the cognitive outcomes. Conclusions: High-dose B-vitamin supplementation provided modest cognitive benefit for kidney transplant recipients with elevated baseline tHcy. Since nearly all participants were folate and vitamin B12 sufficient at baseline, the potential cognitive benefits of folate and B12 supplementation in individuals with poor B-vitamin status remains to be determined.

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