Pea Shoots Fortified with Vitamin B12 Offer Hope for Deficiency Solution

A small serving of specially grown pea shoots may soon provide a full day’s worth of vitamin B12, offering a new plant-based solution to address a common nutrient deficiency. This innovation utilizes aeroponic farming to deliver the essential vitamin directly to the plant, potentially benefiting individuals, particularly those following vegetarian or vegan diets, who are at risk of B12 deficiency.

The Challenge of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is crucial for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell production. Unlike other vitamins, B12 is not naturally found in plants. it’s produced by bacteria and typically obtained through animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy [1]. Globally, B12 levels are declining, especially in populations with limited access to animal-based foods and among older adults [2]. Deficiency can lead to anemia and neurological problems.

Aeroponic Fortification: A Novel Approach

Researchers at the John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute, the University of Bristol, and LettUs Grow have pioneered a method to fortify pea shoots with vitamin B12 using aeroponics [1]. Aeroponics involves growing plants without soil, suspending their roots in the air and regularly spraying them with a nutrient-rich solution. During an eight-day growth period, the pea shoot roots absorb a cyanocobalamin form of vitamin B12, incorporating it into the leaves [2].

Nutritional Impact and Bioavailability

Just 15 grams of these fortified pea shoots can deliver more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin B12 [1]. Importantly, the vitamin remains stable even after cold storage, a crucial factor for commercial viability. Simulated human digestion experiments at the Quadram Institute suggest the B12 is accessible and likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream after consumption [1].

Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability

The researchers estimate that enriching a bag of pea shoots with vitamin B12 costs less than a cent extra [1]. This is significant considering B12 is one of the most expensive vitamins on the market, costing over 20,000 euros per kilogram due to its bacterial origin and the inability to synthesize it chemically [1]. The method is potentially applicable to other rapid-growing salad crops grown in indoor farming systems [1], [2].

Future Research and Commercialization

While initial results are promising, further research, including clinical studies with humans, is needed to confirm the vitamin’s absorption rate in real-world conditions. The project, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, aims to develop a cost-effective and commercially deployable method for producing B12-fortified supermarket salad products [3]. Researchers are also working to identify pea varieties that accumulate B12 most efficiently and to develop a quality assessment method to certify B12-fortified pea shoots [3].