Translations:Cyanocobalamin/14/en
Cyanocobalamin is one of the most widely manufactured vitamers in the vitamin B
12 family (the family of chemicals that function as B
12 when put into the body), because cyanocobalamin is the most air-stable of the B
12 forms. It is the easiest to purify after it is produced by bacterial fermentation. It can be obtained as dark red crystals or as an amorphous red powder. Cyanocobalamin is hygroscopic in the anhydrous form, and sparingly soluble in water (1:80). It is stable to autoclaving for short periods at 121 °C (250 °F). The vitamin B
12 coenzymes are unstable in light. After consumption the cyanide ligand is replaced by other groups (adenosyl, methyl) to produce the biologically active forms. The cyanide is converted to thiocyanate and excreted by the kidney.