Shiitake Vitamin D2 Extraction via UV Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited availability and low content of vitamin D in food sources, particularly for individuals with reduced UV light exposure such as menopausal women and the elderly, necessitates the development of vitamin D-enriched foods.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of ethanol to shiitake powder followed by reflux extraction to prepare a shiitake extract, and subsequent ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation to increase the vitamin D2 content, optimizing the use of shiitake's ergosterol to produce vitamin D2 for fortified foods and medical applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If vitamin D is obtained through dietary sources alone, then the supply is limited to natural food content, but the vitamin D content in available foods is very low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by irradiating shiitake extract with ultraviolet light at specific wavelengths (200-300 nm, preferably 254 nm) and intensities (10-100 μW/cm²) for controlled time periods (1-60 minutes). This transforms the chemical parameters of ergosterol in the extract, converting it into vitamin D2 with significantly increased concentration, thereby resolving the contradiction between limited natural sources and high vitamin D content requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses shiitake extract as an intermediary substance containing ergosterol, which serves as a precursor for vitamin D2 synthesis. By extracting ergosterol from shiitake mushrooms and using it as a starting material for UV irradiation, the patent creates a reliable intermediate step that bridges the gap between limited natural vitamin D sources and the need for high-volume vitamin D production
2Quantity of substance
If UV light exposure is increased to enhance vitamin D synthesis, then vitamin D2 content increases, but excessive UV exposure may cause degradation or unwanted side reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by monitoring the UV irradiation process parameters (intensity, wavelength, time) and adjusting them based on the desired vitamin D2 yield. The method specifies optimal ranges (200-300 nm wavelength, 10-100 μW/cm² intensity, 1-60 minutes duration) that prevent over-irradiation and degradation, ensuring reliable and repeatable results while maximizing vitamin D2 production
3Quantity of substance
If extraction methods are optimized to increase ergosterol yield, then more vitamin D2 can be produced, but the extraction process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction principles by using organic solvents (ether, ethyl acetate, or their mixtures) to selectively extract ergosterol from shiitake powder. The method involves simple steps: mixing shiitake powder with solvent, stirring, filtering, and concentrating the filtrate. This straightforward extraction approach achieves high ergosterol recovery without requiring complex equipment or multiple processing stages, thereby resolving the contradiction between yield and complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly increases the vitamin D2 content in shiitake extracts, making it useful for compensating for dietary deficiencies and addressing health issues related to vitamin D2 insufficiency, as demonstrated by specific extraction and irradiation conditions that enhance ergosterol conversion to vitamin D2.
Implementation Method 1
Due to ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is synthesized from ergosterol that is plant sterol
Implementation Method 2
adding ethanol to shiitake powder, followed by reflux extraction, to prepare a shiitake extract
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining vitamin D from shiitake includes a) adding ethanol to shiitake powder, followed by reflux extraction, to prepare a shiitake extract; and (b) irradiating ultraviolet (UV) light to the shiitake extract prepared in step (a). When shiitake extracts are obtained and exposed to ultraviolet light under specific conditions, the content of vitamin D2 in the shiitake extracts may be increased.