New formulation for vitamin D3

Dishman Netherlands is a producer of cholesterol and vitamin D and its analogues. Dishman’s portfolio has been extended with formulated vitamin D3.

Vitamin D3 is produced from cholesterol by irradiation. As pure vitamin D3 is highly potent, the product has to be diluted for food and feed applications.

NIZO food research was asked to develop a new formulation for feed additive vitamin D3-500. A recipe from a previous production was available, but Dishman needed an improved formulation with respect to stability and homogeneity, preferably to be produced at lower costs.

The NIZO approach was to make an inventory of possible technologies, including an economic evaluation. Then some prototypes were prepared on a small scale. The formulation with a hardened vegetable fat basis resulted in a free-flowing powder with excellent stability.

Mieke Sibeijn, project manager at Dishman, is very happy with the fast development trajectory for D3-500 and the role NIZO played. ”Excellent teamwork” she says, ”and it was enjoyable being part of it”.

The product is currently on the market.