Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)

Cyanocobalamin is the cyano-ligand form of vitamin B12 and a widely used B12 source in food supplement manufacturing. It is listed as a permitted vitamin B12 form in Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC. Vitamin B12 label claims are set in micrograms. Most manufacturers therefore buy cyanocobalamin powder as a dilution on a carrier rather than as the pure crystalline vitamin. For all B12 forms side by side, see the vitamin B12 nutrient guide.

Grades and forms

Two physical forms matter to buyers. Pure crystalline cyanocobalamin suits premix producers and manufacturers with validated microdosing. A dilution, also called a trituration, spreads the vitamin on an inert carrier for direct addition to tablet, capsule and powder blends.

The choice turns on three points:

• Potency of the dilution. It fixes the mass weighed per batch and the blend uniformity you can achieve.
• Carrier. It must suit the format, and it needs review for the ingredient list and allergen statement.
• Water dispersibility. Drinks, effervescent tablets and liquid concentrates need a grade that disperses or dissolves without residue.

The specification sheet states the grade, the potency and its basis, and the carrier. Ask for the potency and carrier you need in the quote form. SoleChem sends the specification sheet and certificate of analysis with its quote.

EU regulatory status

Vitamin B12 is listed in Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC, and cyanocobalamin is listed as a vitamin B12 form in Annex II. It may therefore be used in food supplements across the EU. Cyanocobalamin also appears in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006, which covers adding vitamins to other foods.

The Directive provides for EU maximum amounts, but none have been adopted. Member states apply their own maximum levels for vitamin B12, and these differ. A product accepted in one country may need a different claim in another. See maximum levels by EU country.

The label declares the amount of vitamin B12 per recommended daily portion in micrograms, not the mass of cyanocobalamin or of the dilution. It also gives that amount as a percentage of the reference values in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, where one exists. Details are in labelling a food supplement in the EU and permitted forms in EU food supplements.

Formulation notes

Microgram claims make content uniformity the first concern. Use a dilution, or premix the crystalline vitamin by geometric dilution, before adding it to the main blend. Validate blend uniformity at your smallest batch size.

The arithmetic depends on the potency stated on the certificate of analysis. With a potency of P % as cyanocobalamin, dilution mass in mg equals the label claim in µg divided by (10 × P). For illustration only, a dilution certified at 1 % needs 2.5 mg per serving for a 25 µg claim, before overage.

Cyanocobalamin is the most stable cobalamin in common use, but it still degrades. Light, ascorbic acid, reducing agents and strongly acidic or alkaline conditions all increase losses, especially with moisture present. Keep it apart from ascorbic acid where the process allows, and use opaque packaging. Set the overage from your own stability data with the overage calculator.

The vitamin’s deep red colour can show as specks in white tablets when the dilution is poorly distributed. At low potency, flow and compression follow the carrier’s properties rather than the vitamin’s. See the guides to ingredients for tablets and ingredients for capsules.

How cyanocobalamin compares to methylcobalamin

Cyanocobalamin is usually chosen for stability in multivitamin blends. Methylcobalamin needs tighter light and moisture control from weighing to packing. The methylcobalamin vs cyanocobalamin comparison covers the trade-offs in detail.