Scaling vitamin B12 fortification in aeroponic crops
At LettUs Grow, we have always been committed to building more resilient, productive, and sustainable food systems. Today, we are proud to share a breakthrough that bridges the gap between agri-tech and public health - we have successfully enabled the commercial-scale fortification of salad crops with Vitamin B12. This innovation is a technical milestone and opens a multi-million pound market opportunity for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) growers worldwide.
Addressing the B12 deficiency gap
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in nerve function and the production of DNA and red blood cells. However, it is often lacking in plant-based diets, as it is primarily found in animal products. In the UK alone, an estimated 6% of the population is deficient in B12, while a staggering 44% have insufficient levels. Globally, B12 insufficiency is becoming a significant public health challenge, particularly as consumers shift toward vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian lifestyles. This creates what nutritionists call "hidden hunger," a state where individuals consume sufficient calories but lack the vital micronutrients necessary for long-term health. Current solutions have hit a wall of supplement fatigue. Tablet-based supplements are often easy to forget and less effective when taken without food. We recognised a significant market gap for a more natural approach, delivering essential nutrition through the whole foods people already love to eat.
How Advanced Aeroponics™ unlocks fortification
Our multi-year research project was a deep-dive collaboration with the John Innes Centre, the Quadram Institute, and the University of Bristol. The core of this breakthrough lies in our patented ultrasonic aeroponic technology, Advanced Aeroponics. Unlike traditional hydroponics or soil-based farming, aeroponics suspends plant roots in the air. We deliver a nutrient-enriched mist directly to these roots, allowing for a level of precision that was previously impossible. During the eight-day cultivation period, the plants act as literal sponges, absorbing cyanocobalamin - the most bioavailable form of B12.
Key research findings published in Communications Biology include:
Nutritional density with a single 15-gram serving of our pea shoots delivering the full recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin B12.
Bioavailability from simulated human digestion tests confirmed the vitamin is successfully released for absorption by the body.
Commercial viability as the fortification process adds less than 1p to the production cost per bag.
Stability and shelf-life are increased as the B12 content remains stable throughout cold storage, ensuring the produce survives the journey from farm to fridge without losing its nutritional punch.
The rise of functional foods
While our initial research focused on pea shoots, the implications are much broader. We’ve designed this method to be adaptable across a wide range of rapid-cycling crops. This positions Advanced Aeroponics as the primary enabling technology for a new category of functional foods - crops grown specifically to deliver enhanced, targeted nutritional benefits.
Potential future applications include:
Microgreens and baby leaf salads
Leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, and rocket
Herbs and specialty crops
For growers, this is a game-changer. It offers a unique route to premium-priced produce and clear market differentiation. In an industry where margins can be tight, the ability to offer a "first-to-market" product with a clear health benefit provides a massive competitive advantage
The commercial pathway forward
We are already in discussions with growers and retailers to bring B12-fortified pea shoots to supermarket shelves by 2026. As our Chief Scientific Officer, Jack Farmer, notes, “this is the first time the high-yield potential of aeroponics has been paired with nutritional fortification in a way that can be scaled to commercial volumes. It provides retailers with a powerful, easy-to-understand health message for a growing demographic of health-conscious consumers.”
At LettUs Grow, we facilitate trials through our bespoke crop R&D programme and deliver turnkey indoor farm projects through a global network of partners, including CambridgeHOK, HT Verboom, KG Systems and HAWE. Whether you are looking to diversify your current crop portfolio or build a new facility centred on functional foods, we have the technology to make it happen.
Reach out to info@lettusgrow.com
