Effect of thiamine hydrochloride on the stability of solutions of crystalline vitamin B12.

Abstract Crystalline vitamin B 12 is stable in aqueous solutions of thiamine hydrochloride at pH 3.5 to 4.5 during prolonged storage at room temperature. Decomposition of vitamin B 12 occurs at elevated temperatures in the presence of thiamine decomposition products or the thiazole moiety. The amount of vitamin BI 12 decomposed is shown to be related to the stability of the thiamine hydrochloride. Crystalline vitamin B 12 is stable in solutions of thiamine hydrochloride and niacinamide at pH 3.5 to 4.5 and in B vitamin solutions at pH 3.0 and 4.5 at normal storage temperatures. Destruction of the vitamin B 12 in these solutions occurs at elevated temperatures.