Immunoaffinity-HPLC Analysis for Vitamin B12 of Korean Cattle-Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae)

Nutritional information on Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) frequently consumed in Korea is of high concern, but reliable vitamin B-12 database is not available. This study was performed to produce reliable vitamin B-12 data for revision of national Food Composition Table. Total 37 retail cuts of Hanwoo (10 primal cuts) were analyzed for vitamin B-12, and the applied immunoaffinity-HPLC method was verified. Analytical quality control (QC) was also performed at internal (QC chart) and external (proficiency test) levels. Over 97% recoveries were obtained from vitamin B-12 analysis of certified reference materials, indicating good accuracy. Coefficient variations for repeatability and reproducibility were 8.5 and 10.5%, respectively, which were below the acceptance precision level of guideline. Assay proficiency was excellent based on z-score - 0.2 in a proficiency test. Vitamin B-12 contents of Hanwoo significantly varied depending on the types of primal and retail cuts (p < 0.05). Galbi (rib) showed the highest mean vitamin B-12 with the range of 1.61 similar to 3.58 mu g/100 g among 10 primal cuts. For 37 sub-cuts, Anchangsal in Galbi was the highest by 3.58 mu g/100 g, while Samgaksal in Seoldo was the lowest by 0.95 mu g/100 g. Vitamin B-12 levels were also significantly different within the same primal cuts (p < 0.05)(.) The largest difference in vitamin B-12 content was observed in Seoldo (0.95 similar to 2.31 mu g/100 g), while differences in vitamin B-12 of Yangii sub-cuts (except for Chimasal) were not significant at alpha = 0.05 but significant at alpha = 0.1. QC chart showed that all analysis was under the control. All verified data is expected to be used for national and international vitamin B-12 databases.