Ascertaining vitamin D3 levels is important in northern countries due to low sunlight levels and for this reason foods like milk are fortified with the vitamin D to boost intakes.
“Dairy products are fortified with vitamin D3 which is the form of vitamin D found in animals. For this reason, an analysis method was required specifically for vitamin D3,” the agency said.
Evira said it conducts analyses of vitamin D in milk and dairy products, fish and animal feed.
“The current method used by Evira is liquid chromatography (LC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection, involving complicated sample preparation, as a result of which analysis takes 4-5 days. The new method, on the other hand, is based on an LC-MS/MS technique that enables simple sample preparation.”
The method was developed as part of thesis work by laboratory technician Soili Nikonen, who works at the Evira Chemistry and Toxicology Research Unit.