{
  "id": 4443105,
  "title": "Researchers unveil sustainable spirulina solution to vitamin B12 deficiency",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/researchers-unveil-sustainable-spirulina-solution-to-vitamin-b12",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-30T05:17:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ScienceDaily Health",
    "slug": "sciencedaily-health",
    "url": "https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035227.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Researchers have developed a method to cultivate Spirulina algae that produces active vitamin B12 at levels comparable to beef, potentially solving a major nutritional limitation of this algae. Led by Dr. Asaf Tzachor, the study was conducted by scientists from various institutions in Iceland, Denmark, and Austria. Using biotechnology and controlled light conditions, the team produced carbon-neutral Spirulina biomass containing bioactive vitamin B12. This is the first time such levels have been reported in Spirulina. Vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell formation and nervous system function, with over a billion people worldwide having low levels. The recommended intake is 2.4 µg/day, but traditional Spirulina has a form of B12 that's not bioavailable to humans. The new technique involves photonic management (modified light) to encourage the production of bioactive vitamin B12. The resulting Spirulina contains 1.64 µg of active vitamin B12 per 100 grams, compared to 0.7-1.5 µg per 100 grams in beef. If scaled up, producing Spirulina could provide enough vitamin B12 to meet the recommended daily allowance for millions of children worldwide, offering a sustainable alternative to animal-based sources.",
  "summary": "Researchers have produced a form of Spirulina containing biologically active vitamin B12 at levels comparable to beef. By carefully controlling the light used to grow the algae, they overcame a major problem with conventional Spirulina, which mainly contains a form of B12 the human body cannot use. The carbon-neutral system could provide a more sustainable source of the essential vitamin.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ScienceDaily",
        "title": "Researchers unveil sustainable spirulina solution to vitamin B12 deficiency",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/researchers-unveil-sustainable-spirulina-solution-to-vitamin-b12-4444295",
        "published": "2026-08-30T05:17:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}