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Cyanocobalamin

Cyanocobalamin suppliers and sourcing guide

Cyanocobalamin is the most common commercial form of vitamin B12, a dark red crystalline powder with a cobalt atom at the center of a corrin ring. It is made by bacterial fermentation, today mostly with strains of Pseudomonas denitrificans or Propionibacterium; the cobalamins produced are converted to cyanocobalamin during recovery and then purified and crystallized. Because amounts per serving are in micrograms, brands usually buy it as a 0.1% or 1% dilution rather than as pure crystals.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Vitamin B12 · Cyanocobalamin USP · CAS 68-19-9
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of cyanocobalamin

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Pure crystalline (USP / Ph. Eur.)

    High-purity cyanocobalamin for premix makers and manufacturers who dilute it themselves.

  • 1% trituration

    Cyanocobalamin on dicalcium phosphate, mannitol or maltodextrin at 1%, common for tablets and capsules.

  • 0.1% dilutions and spray-dried powders

    Lower-strength and water-soluble forms for beverages, foods and premixes.

  • Feed grade

    Dilutions for animal nutrition; not for human food or supplements.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Assay (HPLC)
Cobalamin content by HPLC (or UV for cyanocobalamin), on a dried basis for pure material and as a percentage for dilutions.
Related cobalamins
Other cobalamins and degradation products by HPLC, especially hydroxocobalamin, which forms when light-sensitive cobalamins break down.
Identity
UV-visible spectrum and HPLC retention time against a reference standard.
Loss on drying or water
Moisture, which is high in crystalline cobalamins and must be accounted for in potency.
Content uniformity (dilutions)
Assay of several samples per lot for 0.1% and 1% dilutions, to confirm even distribution.
Heavy metals and microbiology
Lead and other elemental impurities by ICP-MS, plus total aerobic count, yeast and mold and pathogens.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Cyanocobalamin is the most stable B12 form, but it still degrades slowly in light and with moisture, so keep it in closed, light-proof containers in a cool, dry place. Suppliers set shelf life or a retest date, with assay as the usual retest check.

Lots and expiry dates

Dose from each lot's actual assay, since microgram-level amounts make small differences matter. Keep pure material and dilutions as clearly separate items to avoid large dosing errors.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 184.1945 affirms vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) as GRAS as a nutrient supplement, used in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice; the section describes it as produced commercially from cultures of Streptomyces griseus.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph lists cyanocobalamin as a source ingredient for vitamin B12.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv) sets the Reference Daily Intake for vitamin B12 at 2.4 mcg for adults and children 4 years and older.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Cyanocobalamin suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking cyanocobalamin suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell cyanocobalamin? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of cyanocobalamin can brands buy?

Common forms include pure crystalline (USP / Ph. Eur.), 1% trituration, 0.1% dilutions and spray-dried powders and feed grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for cyanocobalamin include?

Expect assay (HPLC), related cobalamins, identity, loss on drying or water, content uniformity (dilutions) and heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should cyanocobalamin be stored?

Cyanocobalamin is the most stable B12 form, but it still degrades slowly in light and with moisture, so keep it in closed, light-proof containers in a cool, dry place. Suppliers set shelf life or a retest date, with assay as the usual retest check.

What is the regulatory status of cyanocobalamin?

21 CFR 184.1945 affirms vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) as GRAS as a nutrient supplement, used in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice; the section describes it as produced commercially from cultures of Streptomyces griseus. Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph lists cyanocobalamin as a source ingredient for vitamin B12. 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv) sets the Reference Daily Intake for vitamin B12 at 2.4 mcg for adults and children 4 years and older.

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