Evaluation of the effects of drying methods on the nutritional composition of jute mallow (<i>Corchorus olitorius</i>) Fruits

Vitamin B12 and folate concentrations were measured in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 293 neurological patients. Serum and CSF vitamin B12 concentrations showed a positive correlation. In individual patients CSF B12 concentrations varied considerably for a given serum concentration. The median serum vitamin B12 concentration of the Alzheimer's type dementia group was significantly lower compared with that of a control group. Lower median CSF vitamin B12 concentrations were found in groups of patients with multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's type dementia. Five patients with heterogeneous clinical pictures had unexplained low serum and CSF B12 concentrations without macrocytosis. Two patients had very high serum B12 and low-normal CSF concentrations which could be explained by a blood-brain barrier transport defect. Serum and CSF folate concentrations did not show significant differences between the various groups.

The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute has been conducting research in technology development suitable for post-harvest handling of Nigerian indigenous fruits and vegetables for extension of the shelf-life of these commodities, retention of nutrients and aesthetics of fresh produce in storage, enhancement of the nutritional status and earning capacity of both the rural and urban poor through proper handling, storage, marketing and consumption of fruits and vegetables; and production of the best quality fruits/vegetables for local and export markets over three decades. The research work carried out and the technologies developed for handling of Nigerian indigenous fruits/vegetables post-harvest for the farm, market and domestic levels of storage are discussed subsequently. These indigenous fruits and vegetables are prone to chill injury when kept at low temperatures. However, storage structures developed by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute over the years, such as the evaporative coolers and cooler baskets which could record some temperature drop from the ambient, have been used in extending the shelf-life of fresh fruits and vegetables. Packing (wrapping) materials have also showed promise in extending shelf life of Nigerian indigenous fresh produce. The season and time of harvest also play an important role in storage of fruits and vegetables. Garden eggs have very short shelf-life of 7 days during the dry harmattan months in Nigeria. Fresh fluted pumpkin Telfairia occidentalis ‘ugu’ leaves can only be kept for 6 days at 29.1°C and 64.5% relative humidity beyond which physiological breakdown of tissues lead to deterioration and total loss. Fresh pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) fruits, individually wrapped with waxed paper (TIXO) kept at ambient conditions in plastic crate, have a shelf-life of 17 days as compared to fresh pawpaw fruits in evaporative coolers for 7 days. In hot dry weather of the Northern parts of Nigeria, oranges stored in evaporative cooler (EC) Metal-in-Brick wall have a shelf-life of 10 weeks. Adoption of these technologies will play a very vital role in post-harvest loss reduction in fresh fruits and vegetables along the food chain, increase income and improve nutrition for all stakeholders. The interventions to maintain food quality and safety for reduction of postharvest losses in Nigerian indigenous fruits and vegetables through Research activities in NSPRI for three decades are the focus of this review paper. Key words: Postharvest, technologies, fruits, vegetables, shelf-life.

AIM: To determine the concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum, liver and milk that identify adequate vitamin B12 status in grazing lactating cows, based on no change in milk production in response to supplementation with vitamin B12. METHODS: In October 2005, in early lactation, Friesian cows from one herd were injected S/C with 60 or 90 mg long-acting vitamin B12, or no injection (Control; n=39 per group, Day0). Pasture samples were collected for Co determination at monthly intervals over 82 days. Concentrations of vitamin B12 in milk and serum (n=10 per group) and in liver (n=5 per group) were assessed over 124 days. Milk production and composition were determined on four occasions for all cows. RESULTS: Mean concentrations of Co in pasture ranged from 0.11 to 0.34 mg/kg dry matter (DM). Mean initial concentrations of vitamin B12 in milk, serum and liver were 1,520, 128 pmol/L and 1,092 nmol/kg fresh tissue, respectively. Administration of 60 and 90 mg vitamin B12 had similar effects and increased concentrations of vitamin B12 in milk by 3-fold over controls on Day 50 (7,410 vs. 2,350 pmol/L; p<0.001) and 1.6-fold on Day 124 (3,470 vs. 2,210 pmol/L; p=0.011). Treatment with 60 and 90 mg vitamin B12 increased concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum, by at least 5-fold over controls on Day 50 (880 and 1,040 vs. 160 pmol/L; p<0.001). The two treatments increased concentrations of vitamin B12 inliver by only 1.5 fold over controls on Day 50 (1,660 and 1,900 vs. 1,200 nmol/kg fresh tissue; p<0.005). Treatment had no effect at any sampling time on daily milk volume or milk solids, fat or protein percentages. CONCLUSIONS: Concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum >128 pmol/L indicated adequate vitamin B12 status in grazing lactating cows. Supplementation with 60 or 90 mg vitamin B12 increased and maintained concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum for up to 124 days, but there was no effect on milk production. Milk was enriched in its vitamin B12 content, which would provide enhanced nutrition for calves or humans. Compared with 60 mg, the larger dose provided little additional benefit. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Long-acting injectable vitamin B12 used to treat and prevent vitamin B12 deficiency is unlikely to improve the milk production of grazing cows when concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum are >128 pmol/L.

BackgroundThe effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation on vitamin B12 and folate has hither to not been reported in African HIV infected children. This paper describes vitamin B12 and folate status of Ugandan HIV infected children aged 1-5 years and reports the effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation on serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations.MethodsOf 847 children who participated in a multiple micronutrient supplementation trial, 214 were assessed for vitamin B12 and folate concentrations pre and post supplementation. One hundred and four children were randomised to two times the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of a 14 multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) and 114 to a 'standard of care' supplement of 6 multivitamins (MV). Serum vitamin B12 was measured by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and folate by a competitive protein-binding assay using Modular E (Roche) automatic analyzer. Vitamin B12 concentrations were considered low if less than 221picomoles per litre (pmol/L) and folate if < 13.4 nanomoles per litre (nmol/L). The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to measure the difference between pre and post supplementation concentrations.ResultsVitamin B12 was low in 60/214 (28%) and folate in 62/214 (29.0%) children. In the MMS group, the median concentration (IQR) of vitamin B12 at 6 months was 401.5 (264.3 - 518.8) pmol/L compared to the baseline of 285.5 (216.5 - 371.8) pmol/L, p < 0.001. The median (IQR) folate concentrations increased from 17.3 (13.5 - 26.6) nmol/L to 27.7 (21.1 - 33.4) nmol/L, p < 0.001. In the 'standard of care' MV supplemented group, the median concentration (IQR) of vitamin B12 at 6 months was 288.5 (198.8 - 391.0) pmol/L compared to the baseline of 280.0 (211.5 - 386.3) pmol/L while the median (IQR) folate concentrations at 6 months were 16.5 (11.7 - 22.1) nmol/L compared to 15.7 (11.9 - 22.1) nmol/L at baseline. There was a significant difference in the MMS group in both vitamin B12 and folate concentrations but no difference in the MV group.ConclusionsAlmost a third of the HIV infected Ugandan children aged 1-5 years had low serum concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate. Multiple micronutrient supplementation compared to the 'standard of care' supplement of 6 multivitamins improved the vitamin B12 and folate status of HIV infected children in Uganda.Trial registrationhttp://ClinicalTrials.govNCT00122941)

Fresh dates have a limited shelf life and are susceptible to spoilage, which can lead to economic losses for producers and suppliers. The problem of accurate shelf life estimation for fresh dates is essential for various stakeholders involved in the production, supply, and consumption of dates. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is one of the essential methods that improves the quality and increases the shelf life of fresh dates by reducing the rate of ripening. Therefore, this study aims to apply fast and cost-effective non-destructive techniques based on machine learning (ML) to predict and estimate the shelf life of stored fresh date fruits under different conditions. Predicting and estimating the shelf life of stored date fruits is essential for scheduling them for consumption at the right time in the supply chain to benefit from the nutritional advantages of fresh dates. The study observed the physicochemical attributes of fresh date fruits, including moisture content, total soluble solids, sugar content, tannin content, pH, and firmness, during storage in a vacuum and MAP at 5 and 24 ∘C every 7 days to determine the shelf life using a non-destructive approach. TinyML-compatible regression models were employed to predict the stages of fruit development during the storage period. The decrease in the shelf life of the fruits begins when they transition from the Khalal stage to the Rutab stage, and the shelf life ends when they start to spoil or ripen to the Tamr stage. Low-cost Visible-Near-Infrared (VisNIR) spectral sensors (AS7265x-multi-spectral) were used to capture the internal physicochemical attributes of the fresh fruit. Regression models were employed for shelf life estimation. The findings indicated that vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging with 20% CO2 and N balance efficiently increased the shelf life of the stored fresh fruit to 53 days and 44 days, respectively, when maintained at 5 ∘C. However, the shelf life decreased to 44 and 23 days when the vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging with 20% CO2 and N balance were maintained at room temperature (24 ∘C). Edge Impulse supports the training and deployment of models on low-cost microcontrollers, which can be used to predict real-time estimations of the shelf life of fresh dates using TinyML sensors.

BackgroundCirculating folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine concentrations during fetal development have been associated with health outcomes in childhood. Changes in fetal DNA methylation may be an underlying mechanism. This may be reflected in altered epigenetic aging of the fetus, as compared to chronological aging. The difference between gestational age derived in clinical practice and gestational age predicted from neonatal DNA methylation data is referred to as gestational age acceleration. Differences in circulating folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine concentrations during fetal development may be associated with gestational age acceleration.ResultsUp to 1346 newborns participating in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study, had both cord blood DNA methylation data available and information on plasma folate, serum total and active B12 and plasma homocysteine concentrations, measured in early pregnancy and/or in cord blood. A subgroup of 380 newborns had mothers with optimal pregnancy dating based on a regular menstrual cycle and a known date of last menstrual period. For comparison, gestational age acceleration was calculated based the method of both Bohlin and Knight. In the total study population, which was more similar to Bohlin’s training population, one standard deviation score (SDS) higher maternal plasma homocysteine concentrations was nominally associated with positive gestational age acceleration [0.07 weeks, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02, 0.13] by Bohlin’s method. In the subgroup with pregnancy dating based on last menstrual period, the method that was also used in Knight’s training population, one SDS higher cord serum total and active B12 concentrations were nominally associated with negative gestational age acceleration [(− 0.16 weeks, 95% CI − 0.30, − 0.02) and (− 0.15 weeks, 95% CI − 0.29, − 0.01), respectively] by Knight’s method.ConclusionsWe found some evidence to support associations of higher maternal plasma homocysteine concentrations with positive gestational age acceleration, suggesting faster epigenetic than clinical gestational aging. Cord serum vitamin B12 concentrations may be associated with negative gestational age acceleration, indicating slower epigenetic than clinical gestational aging. Future studies could examine whether altered fetal epigenetic aging underlies the associations of circulating homocysteine and vitamin B12 blood concentrations during fetal development with long-term health outcomes.

Short communication: Relationships among plasma and milk vitamin B12, plasma free fatty acids, and blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in early lactation dairy cows

1. Sheep confined topens and given a cobalt-deficient ration which supplied about 30μgCo/d required for maintenance of normal growth rate a Co supplement approaching 40 μg administered per os daily; for maintenance of what appeared, under the conditions of the experiments described, to be the maximum vitamin B12 status of a sheep, namely 3 ng vitamin B12/ml serum and 1.4 μg vitamin B12/g liver tissue, a supplement of between 0.5 and 1.0 mg Co/d per os was necessary.2. For maintenance of normal growth rate the minimum daily requirement for vitamin B12 of sheep given the Co-deficient diet was about 11μg: about 5 μg absorbed from the gut and about 6 μg injected parenterally.3. Extrapolation of the linear regression obtained by plotting the amount of vitamin B12injected/d against concentration of vitamin B12 in the liver tissue of a sheep indicated that to attain a concentration of 1.4 μg vitamin B12/g liver (wet weight) injection of 34 μg vitamin B12/d was necessary.4. Comparison of the relative effects on body-weight of the administration of 100 μg vitamin B12/dper os and 3.12 μg vitamin B12/d by injection to sheep given the Co-deficient diet indicated that the efficiency of absorption of the vitamin from the gut was &lt; 3%.5. Loss of appetite, the first symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency to appear in the sheep, occurred when the concentration of vitamin B12 in the liver was reduced to about 0.1 μg/g wet weight.6. In sheep given a supplement of 1 mg Co/d per os neither production in the rumen nor absorption from the gut but rather capacity for storage limited the concentration of vitamin B12 in the liver.7. Following treatment to restore the vitamin B12 status of a sheep whose stores of the vitamin had been depleted, there was a linear negative correlation between the increase in the concentration of vitamin B12 in the liver and the concentration prior to treatment.8. Following withdrawal of treatment from a sheep whose stores of vitamin B12 were adequate, there was a linear positive correlation between the rate of depletion of vitamin B12 from the liver and the concentration prior to cessation of treatment.9. The concentrations of vitamin B12 in the serums of sheep given the Co-deficient diet, and given a supplement of 1 mg Co/d per os 0.5 h after feeding, remained relatively stable over the period 0–7 h after feeding; maximum concentration occurred 7–8 h after feeding.10. Under the conditions of the experiments described a significant linear regression existed between concentration of vitamin B12 in the liver of a sheep and the logarithm of the concentration in the serum.

Qualitative losses (such as loss of caloric and nutritive value, loss of acceptability by consumers, and loss of edibility) are more difficult to measure than quantitative losses of fresh fruits and vegetables. While reduction of quantitative losses is a higher priority than qualitative losses in developing countries, the opposite is true in developed countries where consumer dissatisfaction with produce quality results in a greater percentage of the total postharvet losses. Providing consumers with fruits and vegetables that taste good can greatly increase their consumption of the recommended minimum of five servings per day for better health. Development of new cultivars with better flavor and nutritional quality plus adequate productivity should be given high priority in all countries. Strategies for reducing postharvest losses in developing countries include: (1) Application of current knowledge to improve the handling systems (especially packaging and cold chain maintenance) of horticultural perishables and assure their quality and safety; (2) Overcoming the socioeconomic constraints, such as inadequacies of infrastructure, poor marketing systems, and weak RD and (3) Encouraging consolidation and vertical integration among producers and marketers of horticultural crops. ESTIMATION OF POSTHARVEST LOSSES Both quantitative and qualitative losses occur in horticultural crops between harvest and consumption. Our goal is to minimize these losses, and to do so we must: 1) understand the biological and environmental factors involved in postharvest deterioration, and 2) use the appropriate postharvest technology procedures that will slow down deterioration and maintain quality and safety of the commodities. Qualitative losses, such as loss in edibility, nutritional quality, caloric value, and consumer acceptability of the products, are much more difficult to assess than quantitative losses. Standards of quality and consumer preferences and purchasing power vary greatly among countries and cultures. For example, elimination of defects from a given commodity before marketing is much less rigorous in developing countries than in developed countries. This, however, is not necessarily bad, because appearance quality is often over-emphasized in developed countries. Postharvest losses vary greatly among commodities and production areas and seasons. In the United States, the losses of fresh fruits and vegetables are estimated to range from 2% to 23%, depending on the commodity, with an overall average of about 12% losses between production and consumption sites (Cappellini and Ceponis, 1984; Harvey, 1978). Kantor et al (1997) estimated the U.S. total retail, foodservice, and consumer food losses in 1995 to be 23% of fruits and 25% of vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables accounted for nearly 20% of consumer and foodservice losses, which are due to product deterioration, excess perishable products that are discarded, and plate waste (food not consumed by the purchaser). The latter is often due to consumer dissatisfaction with product quality, especially flavor. Estimates of postharvest losses in developing countries vary greatly from 1 to 50% or even higher (National Academy of Sciences,

Background: Athletes and coaches believe in the ergogenic effect of vitamin B12 (which results from enhanced erythropoiesis) and they often insist on its unjustified supplementation. Therefore, our study aimed to assess the vitamin B12 status in Polish elite athletes and its influence on red blood cell parameters. Methods: In total, 1131 blood samples were collected during six years from 243 track and field athletes divided into strength and endurance groups, as well as according to the declared use of vitamin B12 injections. Results: An average vitamin B12 concentration in all subjects was 739 ± 13 pg/mL, with no cases of deficiency. A weak but significant relationship was found between vitamin B12 and hemoglobin concentrations. A significant increase in hemoglobin appeared from very low vitamin B12 concentration and up to approx. 400 pg/mL, while hemoglobin did not significantly change from 700 pg/mL and onwards. Vitamin B12 injections were used by 34% of athletes, significantly more often by endurance than by strength athletes. In athletes who declared no use of injections, a higher concentration of vitamin B12 was observed in the endurance group. Conclusion: The main finding of the present study is the determination of the range of vitamin B12 concentration which may favor better hemoglobin synthesis in athletes. They should regularly monitor vitamin B12 concentration and maintain the range of 400–700 pg/mL as it may improve red blood cell parameters. We might suggest application of a supplementation if necessary. Special attention is required in athletes with a vitamin B12 concentration below 400 pg/mL.

Maternal and Fetal Folate, Vitamin B12, and Homocysteine Concentrations and Childhood Kidney Outcomes

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency and examine the associations between maternal and infant vitamin B12 and folate status in a cohort of healthy pregnant adolescents.DesignSerum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations were measured in pregnant adolescents at mid‐gestation, delivery, and in cord blood. Linear and binomial regression models were used to examine the associations between maternal and infant vitamin B12 and folate status.ResultsSerum vitamin B12 concentrations decreased significantly during pregnancy (p&lt;0.0001) resulting in an increased prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency (&lt;148 pmol/L) from mid‐gestation (1.6%) to delivery (15.3%). At delivery, an additional 46.6% of mothers were vitamin B12 insufficient (&lt;200 pmol/L). Maternal vitamin B12 concentrations (p&lt;0.001) and vitamin B12 deficiency (p&lt;0.001) at delivery were associated with infant B12 concentrations, with 1% of infants being vitamin B12 deficient at birth. Similarly, maternal folate concentrations at delivery (p&lt;0.001) were associated with infant folate concentrations.ConclusionsMaternal vitamin B12 and folate status at delivery predicted infant vitamin B12 and folate status in healthy pregnant adolescents.Support or Funding InformationSupported by grants from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): USDA 2005‐35200‐15218 and USDA 2010‐34324‐20769; and the Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University

Lower serum vitamin B12 concentrations have been observed in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). It is known that vitamin B12 deficiency is closely related to hyperhomocysteinaemia, which is associated with a proinflammatory state. To assess the relationship between vitamin B12 status and concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) with acute phase response in patients with CSU. Circulating concentrations of vitamin B12, Hcy and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 42 patients with CSU of varying severity, and compared with 19 healthy controls (HCs). Significantly lower concentrations of vitamin B12 and higher concentrations of CRP were observed in the serum of the patients with CSU compared with HCs (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in plasma Hcy concentrations between the investigated groups. In addition, no correlations were found between the concentrations of vitamin B12, Hcy and CRP. Lower values of vitamin B12 concentration in patients with CSU were not associated with higher Hcy concentrations, suggesting that such patients do not have functional vitamin B12 deficiency.

AIMS: To determine the vitamin B12 status of dairy calves during their first year of life, and to evaluate the benefits of vitamin B12 supplementation.METHODS: In Experiment I, 20 17-day-old heifer calves from the AgResearch Flock House herd were monitored until 198 days old. On Days 0 and 90 of the study, half of the animals received an injection of microencapsulated vitamin B12 at 0.12 mg/kg bodyweight. All received colostrum, milk replacer and calf meal, with ad libitum access to pasture. At regular intervals the calves were weighed and serum collected for vitamin B12 measurement.In Experiment II at Flock House and the adjacent Landcorp Tangimoana station, 80 150-day-old heifer calves were monitored until 342 days old. On Days 0 and 97, half of the animals received vitamin B12 as per Experiment I. At regular intervals samples were collected from 12 calves per group, to determine concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum.RESULTS: Mean concentration of vitamin B12 in milk replacer was 63 (SE 4) µg/kg dry matter (DM). Cobalt concentrations in calf meal were 0.45–1.58 and 0.07–0.28 mg/kg DM in pastures. From 17 to 198 days of age (Experiment I) mean concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum of the control group decreased from 119 (SE 8) to 57 (SE 5) pmol/L. From 150 to 342 days of age (Experiment II), overall mean concentrations of the control groups at Flock House and Tangimoana were 90 (SE 2) and 96 (SE 3) pmol/L, respectively. Vitamin B12 injections increased (p<0.001) serum concentrations for at least 90 days, with peak concentrations of 323 (SE 23) (Experiment I) and 520 (SE 22) (Experiment II) pmol/L reached 28–35 days after each injection. Liveweight gain was not increased by supplementation and there was no difference in final liveweight between groups.CONCLUSIONS: Concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum of unsupplemented calves prior to weaning indicated their vitamin B12 status was adequate due to the vitamin B12 and Co content of the milk replacer, and calf meal. Concentrations decreased during the transition to a pasture-based diet. Supplementation increased concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum but did not improve liveweight gains.CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Under this calf rearing system, vitamin B12 deficiency is unlikely to occur prior to weaning, and vitamin B12 supplementation is unlikely to increase growth rates of grazing calves when concentrations of vitamin B12 in serum are >90 pmol/L.

AIM: To quantify aspects of absorption and retention of vitamin B12 from milk in pre-ruminant lambs, and the possible effect of activation of dependent metabolic pathways (propionatesuccinate) on vitamin B12 concentrations in tissues. METHODS: In Experiment 1, two groups of eight newborn lambs each received either milk substitute alone, or milk substitute with added propionate for 4 weeks. Half of the lambs in each group received vitamin B12 injections twice weekly. Blood and liver samples were taken on Day —1 and at the end of the trial, and blood was also collected twice weekly, for measurement in plasma of vitamin B12, methylmalonic acid (MMA), and blood-binder transcobalamin II/haptocorrin. The lambs were weighed at 0, 2 and 4 weeks. In Experiment 2, 12 milk-fed newborn lambs (n=2 or 3/group) were injected I/M with 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 or 3.2 µg vitamin B12 and a further 12 were supplemented orally with 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 µg vitamin B12, daily for 2 weeks. Three lambs remained as untreated controls. Blood and liver samples were taken at the start and end of the trial, and blood was also collected twice weekly, for measurement of vitamin B12 and MMA concentrations in plasma. The lambs were weighed on Days 0, 7 and 14. In Experiment 3, 14 lambs from Experiment 2 were used to repeat the highest I/M and oral rates of supplementation used in Experiment 2. Blood samples were taken at frequent intervals for 24 hours, and analysed for concentrations of vitamin B12 in plasma. RESULTS: Propionate supplementation was associated with increased concentrations of vitamin B12 in plasma in lambs supplemented with vitamin B12 but not in those not supplemented (p=0.047), but had no detectable effect on concentrations of vitamin B12 in liver (Experiment 1). Lambs with concentrations of vitamin B12 in plasma and liver in the marginal reference range were able to metabolise propionate and maintain normal concentrations of MMA at a rate of intake of propionate close to that which would depress appetite. Close to 100% of the vitamin B12 administered by I/M injection appeared in plasma in the first hour but 85% was removed from the circulation within 16 hours. The maximum liver concentration was achieved at 900 nmol/kg (=1,200 µg) fresh tissue. There were no significant differences in liveweight gain (LWG) regardless of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Lambs with concentrations of vitamin B12 in plasma and liver in the marginal reference range were able to metabolise propionate and maintain normal concentrations of MMA in plasma at a rate of absorption of propionate close to that which would depress appetite. The coefficient of absorption of oral vitamin B12 in milk-fed lambs was low (<10%), and the ability of lambs to retain the vitamin even when tissues had physiologically low concentrations was poor. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pre-ruminant lambs had a low requirement for vitamin B12, and even at low tissue concentrations had poor ability to absorb and retain the vitamin. However, if supplementation is required, a method that provides a modest but continual supply may be most effective in protection against deficiency.