NEET PG Medical – 2020 – Question -32
V- Richest source of vitamin B12 ?
a) Meat
b) Green leafy vegetables
c) Corn oil
d) Sunflower oil
Correct Answer – A
Ans: A. Meat
* Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products.
* Synonyms are cobalamin, extrinsic factor (EF) of Castle and anti pernicious anemia factor. Vitamin B12 is water-soluble, heat stable and red in color. It is satisfied by any of the following groups:
cyanide, hydroxyl, adenosyl or methyl.
* Cyanocobalamin- Oral preparations are in this form.
* Hydroxy cobalamin- Injectable preparations are in this form.
* Adenosylcobalamin- This is the major storage form, seen in the liver.
* Methylcobalamin-This is the major form seen in blood circulation as well as in the cytoplasm of cells.
* Vitamin B12 is generally not present in plant foods, but fortified breakfast cereals are a readily available source of vitamin B12 with high bioavailability for vegetarians.
* Rich source of vitamin B12→
– Beef, liver, and chicken.
– Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams.
– Fortified breakfast cereal.
– Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
– Eggs.
Ref- DM Vasudevan- Textbook of biochemistry for medical
students, 6th edn,Nutrition, pg 404.
