Showcasing the ingredient at Nutraceuticals Europe in Barcelona earlier this month, Tingting Jiang, marketing manager for Innobio, underlined how the ingredient is meeting current consumer trends.
"The demand for vegan forms of vitamin D is rapidly increasing, as more and more consumers prioritize plant-based diets and seek out ethical and sustainable options," she said. "According to the National Institutes of Health, the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for adults is 600 to 800 IU per day, a crucial micronutrient that many vegans and vegetarians struggle to obtain from their diet."
"LocVita Vegan Vitamin D3 fills this gap, providing a reliable and effective source of vitamin D3 without compromising on ethics or sustainability," she added.
Vitamin D deficiencies
Vitamin D is obtained through certain foods in the diet and primarily through sunlight in spring and summer months, but it can be difficult to achieve optimal levels in winter months, particularly for vegetarians and vegans.
It has been reported that 15.7% of the global population are deficient in vitamin D, with serum 25(OH)D levels of less than 30 nmol/L. Less than 25 nmol/L is categorised as severe deficiency, and 25 nmol/L to 50 nmol/L is treated as insufficiency.
In addition, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), the most absorbable form of vitamin D, is often sourced from lanolin oil—a waxy substance derived from lamb’s wool—for supplement applications and thus is not a vegan-friendly option.
Therefore, there has been a significant interest in identifying effective sources of vitamin D3 for supplementation to meet the growing proportion of the population adhering to plant-based diet.
“LocVita is a groundbreaking, plant-based ingredient that revolutionizes the way vegans and vegetarians access essential nutrients,” Jiang said. “This innovative product offers a sustainable, traceable, and pure source of vitamin D3, vital for maintaining bone health, immune function and emotional well-being.”
Derived from Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), a fast-growing tree species native to the southeastern United States, the ingredient is also positioned as offering a renewable and sustainable source of vitamin D3.
"The use of Loblolly pine ensures that there are no supply limitations for this product, allowing Innobio to meet the growing demand for vegan and organic products while minimizing its impact on the environment,” Jian added.
She noted the use of pine avoids the contaminants often associated with lanolin-derived vitamin D, including pesticides, providing a more natural option for health-aware consumers.
Thanks to microencapsulation technology, the ingredient can be used within soft gels, beverages, hard capsules, tablets and gummy product innovations.
The product joins the company’s existing LocVita portfolio of microencapsulated vitamins, including vitamin E and K. Further lines include its Synnovo amino acids, XanGuard natural carotenoids, DurOmega functional lipids and GlycerBlast glycerol powders.
"We have a robust pipeline of future studies planned, aiming to investigate its impact on various health outcomes, including bone health, immune function and even mood and cognitive function,” Jiang said.