title: Microbiological assay for vitamin B12 performed in 96-well microtitre plates.
abstract: A simplified microbiological assay for vitamin B12 estimation, completed on microtitre plates using a colistin sulphate resistant strain of Lactobacillus leichmannii (NCIB 12519), and cryopreserved cultures is described. The new assay correlated well with a more conventional "tube" assay and was not influenced by the presence of antibiotics in serum. Evaluation of assay performance showed excellent interassay and intra-assay precision with quantitative recovery of added cyanocobalamin over a wide range of additions (94.9%-102.1%). The advantages of short incubation time, easy reading, and minimal reagent costs make this assay an attractive option in the routine clinical laboratory and in research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Kelleher
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Broin
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D001618:beta-Lactamases; D014805:Vitamin B 12