Development of novel method for the precise isolation of vitamin B12 producing microorganisms from natural sources

Abstract

This study aims to develop a strategy for identifying novel microorganisms for cost-effective production of Vitamin B₁₂ (B₁₂). Samples were collected from areas enriched with algal growth and a series of screening methodologies were undergone to identify the target host. Out of 50 bacterial isolates 27 strains were primarily screened as B₁₂ producers. A PCR based secondary screening of B₁₂ producers were done by confirming the presence of cobM, cobI and cobQ, since these genes were found to be conserved in B₁₂ synthesis pathway of majority aerobic B₁₂ producing genera. Among the isolated strains three were found to be high B₁₂ producers and phylogenetic characterization revealed them as Pseudomonas alcaliphila, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans and Pseudomonas otitidis respectively. The discovery of an extremophilic isolate with a B₁₂ yield of 7.84 μg/g cdw promises the success of developed strategy in identifying a novel, industrially competent host for cost-effective B₁₂ production.