Biochemical Studies on Vitamin B12. Part X: On Vitamin B12-like Activity of Cobalt-Porphyrin-Derivative

The alkali- and thermo-stable substance indicating vitamin B12-activity in plant kingdom was confirmed to be a porphyrin-derivative containing cobalt by paper partition chromatography and bioautography. Next, Culture experiments on Euglena and Lactobacillus leichmannii with Cobalt-porphyrin-derivative prepared from radish leaves were always successful by vitamin B12-free basal medium when supplemented with l,2-diamino-4,5-dimethylbenzene or 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole.From these results, the physiological role of Co-porphyrin-derivative as one of the active components effecting on the intermediary metabolism of vitamin B12 seems to be established.