Effect of Propionate on the Dietary Vitamin B12, Biotin and Folic Acid Requirement of the Rat

Abstract

Weanling rats fed a control diet free of biotin, folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ showed no growth response to dietary additions of these vitamins. However, when 5% sodium propionate was included in the diet marked depressions in growth rate and diet intake were observed. A significant response in growth rate resulted when vitamin B₁₂ was included in the propionate diets. A significant response to biotin was observed during the early part of the trial, but this was not sustained. The very small response to folic acid was not statistically significant. In a second experiment, in which zero, 3 and 6% sodium propionate were included in the diet, vitamin B₁₂ was again partially effective in preventing depressions in growth rate and diet intake, and was more effective with the 3% than the 6% propionate diet. A level of 25 µg of vitamin B₁₂/kg of diet was fully as effective as higher levels. The possibility of using propionate as a constituent in vitamin B₁₂ assay diets is suggested.