Vitamin D2 Formation and Bioavailability from Agaricus bisporus Button Mushrooms Treated with Ultraviolet Irradiation

Abstract

Agaricus bisporus mushrooms contain an abundance of ergosterol, which on exposure to UV irradiation is converted to vitamin D2. The present study evaluated the effects UV-C irradiation on vitamin D2 formation and its bioavailability in rats. Fresh button mushrooms were exposed to UV-C irradiation at mean intensities of 0.403, 0.316, and 0.256 mW/cm(2) from respective distances of 30, 40, and 50 cm for periods ranging from 2.5 to 60 min. Vitamin D2 and ergosterol were measured by HPLC-MS/MS. The stability and retention of vitamin D2 were assessed including the extent of discoloration during storage at 4 degrees C or at room temperature. Exposure to UV-C irradiation at 0.403 mW/cm(2) intensity from 30 cm distance resulted in a time-dependent increase in vitamin D2 concentrations that was significantly higher than those produced at intensities of 0.316 and 0.256 mW/cm(2) from distances of 40 and 50 cm, respectively. Furthermore, the concentrations of vitamin D2 produced after exposure to UV-C irradiation doses of 0.125 and 0.25 J/cm(2) for, 2.5, 5, and 10 min were 6.6, 15.6, and 23.1 microg/g solids, equivalent to 40.6, 95.4, and 141 microg/serving, respectively. The data showed a high rate of conversion from ergosterol to vitamin D2 at short treatment time, which is required by the mushroom industry. The stability of vitamin D2 remained unchanged during storage at 4 degrees C and at room temperature over 8 days (P = 0.36), indicating no degradation of vitamin D2. By visual assessment or using a chromometer, no significant discoloration of irradiated mushrooms, as measured by the degree of "whiteness", was observed when stored at 4 degrees C compared to that observed with mushrooms stored at room temperature over an 8 day period (P < 0.007). Vitamin D2 was well absorbed and metabolized as evidenced by the serum response of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in rats fed the irradiated mushrooms. Taken together, the data suggest that commercial production of button mushrooms enriched with vitamin D2 for improving consumer health may be practical.

Chemical profile, agaritine and selenium content of Agaricus bisporus

“…Shi et al, (2002) and Gergely et al (2005). (Wang et al 2007;WU et al 2007;USCDC 2009;UN 2010), which include anticancer agents such as fatty acids poly saccharides, and ergosterol (Takaku et al 2001;Ren et al 2008;Koyyalamudi et al 2009);N,N,N-tris (hydrazinecarbonyl) phosphoric triamide, selenium and vaccenic acid (Shi et al 2002; Sosnovsky and Rao 2004; Gergely et al 2005;De Barros 2008;Mattila et al 2010); antihypercholesterol agents such as fatty acids, glycoproteins, sterols and vaccenic acid (Ey et al 2007;Borchers et al 2008;De Barros 2008); antimicrobial agents such as agaritine and alcohols (Janak, et al 2006;Nagadka, et al 2006;Roupas, et al 2010); anti-cardiovascular disease agents such as fatty acids, sterols and pyran derivative (SCB, 2007(SCB, -2010; human health supporting agent's such as fatty acids, sterols and sugar alcohols (Andersson and Gry 2004;Ji, et al 2006); immune enhancer agents such as fatty acids, glycoproteins, polysaccharides and sterols (UN, 2010);…”

Study of physiologically active components in different parts of fruiting bodies of varieties of Agaricus bisporus (white mushroom)

“…The most important features of A. bisporus are its dietary and healing properties resulting from the rich composition of metabolites and biologically active elements. It is a rich source of dietary fiber (chitin) and contains exogenous and endogenous amino acids, digestible protein, compounds with significant antioxidant activity (sterols, phenolic, and indole compounds), vitamins (especially vitamin D), and bioelements (e.g., selenium, zinc) [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. The antioxidant activity of A. bisporus is also related to the presence of histidine derivative, ergothioneine [10].…”

Bioavailability of vitamin D2 from UV-B-irradiated button mushrooms in healthy adults deficient in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a randomized controlled trial

“…Outila et al (1999) were the first to demonstrate that vitamin D 2 was well absorbed from lyophilized and homogenized mushrooms in humans. Perera (2005, 2006) were the first to publish in vivo studies on the bioavailability of vitamin D 2 from UV-irradiated mushrooms, showing as others (Koyyalamudi et al, 2009) that vitamin D 2 from vitamin D 2 -enhanced mushrooms is well absorbed and metabolized in rodents and that it improves bone mineralization.…”