Isolation of Methanol-utilizing Bacteria and Its Vitamin B₁₂ Production

Abstract

Methanol-utilizing microorganisms were isolated from soil and air. One of the best vitamin B₁₂ producers was identified as Klebsiella sp. No. 101. The bacterial growth and vitamin B₁₂ production were stimulated by addition of organic nutrients, such as yeast extract and peptone, as well as vitamins, such as pyridoxine, nicotinic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid and biotin. Vitamin B₁₂ production was observed only when methanol was used as the sole carbon source. The maximal vitamin B₁₂ production was 130_??_140 μg per liter of the whole culture broth.