The study, led by the John Innes Centre, demonstrated that using aeroponic technology — where plants are grown in a mist environment rather than soil — could deliver the full recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin B12 in a single 15g portion of salad.
Addressing a critical global nutrient gap
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that the human body requires for red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and maintaining healthy neurological function. However, plants do not naturally produce or require B12, creating a significant nutritional risk for the growing number of people adopting meat-free or sustainable diets.
Currently, an estimated 6% of the UK adult population is clinically B12 deficient. Even more concerning for the food industry is that a further 44% of the population falls into the marginal or insufficient range. Clinical signs of deficiency include anaemia and varying levels of neurological dysfunction.
The research aimed to establish an approach for B12 dietary supplementation that harnessed a horticultural technology to deliver the recommended daily allowance of B12 within a single portion of a salad crop. The team chose pea shoots (Pisum sativum) for the trial due to their rapid growth cycle, typically reaching harvest in just 10 days. They are also increasingly popular in the “microgreens” market, which is projected to reach a value of over $2 billion by 2028.
Superior results through aeroponic technology
The research focused on adding cyanocobalamin (a stable and bioactive form of B12 commonly used in supplements) directly into the aeroponic growing medium. Unlike traditional hydroponics, which submerge roots in water, the aeroponic system uses ultrasonic devices to create a fine mist. This increases root hair formation and maximises the interaction between the fortified solution and the plant.
The researchers compared their aeroponic approach to existing methods, such as a patented technique that involves soaking seeds in a B12 solution before germination. The results were starkly different.
With the seed-soaking method, the B12 accumulation was so low that a consumer would need to eat more than 1.2kg of pea shoots daily to reach their RDA. In contrast, the aeroponic method was much more effective. By dosing the nutrient mist with a 10 μM concentration of cyanocobalamin, the team produced pea shoots where just 15g of leaves (a standard small salad portion) contained the full 2.4 μg required by an adult.
The study also investigated where the vitamin was stored within the plant. While the roots accumulated significant amounts of B12, the highest concentration of ‘bio-accessible’ vitamin was found in the leafy tissue. This is a vital finding for salad producers, as it ensures the value-added nutrient is located in the part of the crop consumers actually eat.
Proving commercial viability and shelf life
For commercial growers and retailers, the primary concerns regarding fortified crops are cost and product stability. The research team addressed these through an extensive techno-economic analysis (TEA) and shelf-life testing.
They confirmed that adding B12 did not alter the ‘senescence’ or natural ageing process of the harvested greens. Using established markers like chlorophyll content and electrolyte leakage, they found that fortified pea shoots aged at the same rate as standard crops.
The study noted that B12 persisted within the plant tissue for at least four weeks, indicating that the product could survive the rigours of the modern cold-chain supply system. The fortified shoots maintained their visual appeal, colour, and nutrient density for 30 days under simulated retail storage conditions (5°C to 6°C in darkness).
From a financial perspective, the TEA suggested that the approach was highly feasible for the vertical farming sector. The researchers modelled the costs of sourcing B12 through different supply chains, including wholesale food-grade and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) tiers. The additional cost to fortify a 15g portion of pea shoots was estimated at approximately £0.01 to £0.02.
Furthermore, because aeroponic systems use significantly less water than hydroponics, the amount of expensive B12 required is reduced. The study also highlighted that recycling the nutrient solution could lead to a 55% reduction in fortification costs, bringing the extra expense per portion to well below a penny.
Scientific validation of B12 absorption
A common criticism of fortified foods is whether the added nutrients are actually absorbed by the human body. To tackle this, the researchers used the Infogest 2.0 protocol, which simulates the human digestive process in a laboratory setting.
The experiment showed that B12 was released effectively during the simulated oral, gastric, and duodenal phases of digestion. Crucially, the researchers found that simply chewing or “mashing” the pea shoots was enough to release the vitamin from the plant cells.
A meal portion of pea shoots released more than the RDA of B12 during simulated digestion, providing a significant advantage over traditional B12 tablets. Supplements are often taken on an empty stomach, but the body absorbs B12 best when it is consumed with food, as the stomach secretes a specific protein called ‘intrinsic factor’ in response to eating. By delivering B12 inside a salad, the plant-based crop naturally triggers the body’s own absorption mechanisms.
A new roadmap for functional foods
The study concluded that this method provided a versatile roadmap for the indoor farming industry. Because vertical farms and glasshouses allow for total environmental control, growers can implement these fortification strategies without the risks found in traditional outdoor farming, such as B12 degradation by UV sunlight or soil bacteria.
The researchers suggested that this technique could be “stacked” with other nutrients. For example, growers could simultaneously fortify salads with B12 and iron, creating a powerful functional food product that targets common vegan deficiencies in one go.
As the demand for nutrient-dense, plant-based alternatives continues to rise, this innovation offers a commercially viable path for the fresh produce industry to play a central role in public health and sustainable nutrition.
Source: Communications Biology
“Addressing Vitamin B12 deficiency through aeroponic fortification of a salad crop (Pisum sativum”
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-09764-y
Authors: Bethany M. Eldridge, et al
