What is Cobalt Sulphate?
Cobalt sulphate is a soluble inorganic salt of cobalt. Humans cannot convert free cobalt into vitamin B12; cobalt is essential for humans only in the form of B12. Cobalt sulphate is primarily used in animal feed (especially for ruminants) and for technical/industrial purposes.
- Molecular formula: CoSO₄
- CAS number: 10124-43-3
- Form: Powder / Inorganic Cobalt Salt
- Quality: Food / Pharmaceutical Grade
- Cobalt(II) sulphate exists in anhydrous (CoSO4 ~%38 Co) or heptahydrate (~%21 Co) forms. In human nutrition, the biological function of cobalt occurs solely as the central atom of the vitamin B12 (cobalamin) molecule; free inorganic cobalt is not a 'nutrient source' for humans.
What is Cobalt Sulphate Used For? Why is it Used?
Cobalt sulphate is NOT recommended for human supplementation; human cobalt needs must be met directly through vitamin B12. The legitimate use of this compound lies in animal feed trace element premixes and technical/industrial applications. For the sake of honesty, it should not be positioned as an independent mineral source in human nutrition.
Main areas of use: Catalyst, Electrolysis, Drying Agent, Magnesium Alloy, Paint/Pigment, Chemical Synthesis.
Usage in Dietary Supplements
- Not used independently in human supplements: Cobalt is NOT used as an independent mineral in human dietary supplements. Humans only need cobalt in the form of vitamin B12 (cobalamin); free cobalt sulphate is not a nutritional source for human supplementation.
- Indirect relationship via Vitamin B12: The only function of cobalt in humans is to serve as the building block of B12; instead of 'cobalt supplements,' humans directly take B12 forms such as cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin.
- Animal feed premixes (primary use): Cobalt sulphate is used as a trace element source in feed premixes to enable rumen microorganisms in ruminants to synthesize B12 (Group E3 in the EU).
- Technical / industrial use: It is used in technical fields such as electroplating, pigments, catalysts, and the battery industry; these uses are not related to nutrition.
Usage in the Food Industry
- Trace element additive for animal feed: Cobalt(II) sulphate heptahydrate is authorized in the EU as a feed additive (trace element) for ruminants and certain species; the purpose is to support microbial B12 synthesis.
- Not used as a direct additive in human food: Cobalt salts are not added to human foods as a nutrient source; human cobalt needs in food are met through B12 fortification. Cobalt salts do not have an E-numbered food additive function.
Effects on Health
Cobalt is a mineral that plays a role in many fundamental functions in the body. The main functions authorized/evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA):
- NO EFSA-approved health claim for cobalt: EFSA HAS NOT DEFINED an approved health claim for 'cobalt' (element/salt) in human nutrition. Approved functions relate to vitamin B12, not cobalt itself.
- Function only via B12: The only biochemical function of cobalt is being the central atom of the cobalamin (B12) molecule; free cobalt has no known independent nutritional function in humans.
- Cobalt toxicity in excess: Excessive cobalt exposure has been associated with adverse effects such as cardiomyopathy, thyroid effects, and genotoxicity; free cobalt is not recommended as a human supplement.
Usage Limits in Dietary Supplements
- Nutrient Reference Value (NRV): There is NO NRV for cobalt under Regulation 1169/2011 (it is not listed as an independent nutrient other than B12).
- Tolerable Upper Intake Level (EFSA): EFSA has not established a nutritional UL for cobalt; risk assessments are based on health-based guidance values.
- Turkish legislation (TSEGC): In Turkey, cobalt is not permitted as an independent mineral in the Dietary Supplements legislation; human cobalt needs in supplements are met only in B12 form. Cobalt sulphate is primarily for feed/technical purposes (numbers are not fabricated).
Product communication should be through animal feed/technical use; it should not imply human supplementation.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Cobalt Content | ≥ 20-21 |
| Appearance | Pink Red Powder |
| Moisture | ≤5.0 % |
| Solubility | Soluble in Water |
Scientific Studies
The following independent researches relate to the bioavailability, usage, and effects of this mineral (levels of evidence are specified):
- PubMed 28572025 — Review examining cobalt toxicity and systemic health effects in humans.
- PubMed 33053716 — Recent review investigating the relationship between vitamin B12 and cobalt metabolism in ruminants.
Technical Documents and Supply — Asuka Kimya
You can contact Asuka Kimya for SDS, TDS, CoA and supply conditions for Cobalt Sulphate.
References
- ods.od.nih.gov
- efsa.europa.eu
- ec.europa.eu
- eur-lex.europa.eu
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The usage and health information on this page is compiled from official legislation/institution sources (EFSA, NIH ODS, Turkish Food Codex, EUR-Lex) and independent scientific publications (PubMed). The product is a food supplement/food raw material; it does not aim to diagnose or treat diseases.