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Human Intrinsic Factor Expression for Bioavailable Vitamin B12 Enrichment in Microalgae

Lima, Serena, Webb, Conner L., Deery, Evelyne, Robinson, Colin, Zedler, Julie A. Z. (2018) Human Intrinsic Factor Expression for Bioavailable Vitamin B12 Enrichment in Microalgae. Biology, 7 (1). Article Number 19. ISSN 2079-7737. (doi:10.3390/biology7010019) (KAR id:66137)

Abstract

Dietary supplements and functional foods are becoming increasingly popular complements to regular diets. A recurring ingredient is the essential cofactor vitamin B12 (B12). Microalgae are making their way into the dietary supplement and functional food market but do not produce B12, and their B12 content is very variable. In this study, the suitability of using the human B12-binding protein intrinsic factor (IF) to enrich bioavailable B12 using microalgae was tested. The IF protein was successfully expressed from the nuclear genome of the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the addition of an N-terminal ARS2 signal peptide resulted in efficient IF secretion to the medium. Co-abundance of B12 and the secreted IF suggests the algal produced IF protein is functional and B12-binding. Utilizing IF expression could be an efficient tool to generate B12-enriched microalgae in a controlled manner that is suitable for vegetarians and, potentially, more bioavailable for humans.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3390/biology7010019
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Depositing User: Colin Robinson
Date Deposited: 26 Feb 2018 10:24 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 17:54 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/66137 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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