ABSTRACT
Algae are claimed to be a potentially important source of food for both man and animal because they contain amino acid, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins. As algae are the only only plants that contain vitamin B12, they may, therefore, be the ideal food to provide this vitamin to vegetarians. The objective of the present study was to determine vitamin B12 in various marine and fresh water algae. A mean value of vitamin B12 of 56+35 µg/100g, ranging from 2.8 to 119.8 µg/100g, was found in 15 samples of marine algae bought from different markets. The fresh water algae contained a relative vitamin B12, i.e., 7.3 µg/100g, ranging from 0.02 to 31.5 µg/100g in 11 samples. A considerable amount of vitamin B12 were maintained after cooking for 5, 10 and 15 minutes, respectively. As marine algae contain a relatively high vitamin B12 content, it may serve as a good source of this vitamin for vegetarians. However, there may be some objections due to their high price, smell and taste.