Question

Propionibacterium is an important source of

• A. Vitamin C
• B. Cobalamin
• C. Sugars
• D. Proteins

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Cobalamin

Vitamin B${}_{12}$ (cobalamin) is produced on an industrial scale by microbial fermentation. Various microorganisms including those of the genera Streptomyces, Bacillus, Methanobacterium, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Propionibacterium are used to produced vitamin B${}_{12}$ on an industrial scale. Among the above microorganisms, in general Propionibacterium species are preferred for the production of vitamin B${}_{12}$, particularly P. freudenreichii is mostly preferred as this species has obtained the GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) status from the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and produce neither endotoxin nor exotoxins and produce the highest yield of 20 mg/lit.