Lallemand Health Ingredients ~ Lalmin® Vita D

COPENHAGEN, DenmarkLallemand Health Ingredients extended its Lalmin® line of yeast-based health ingredients with the addition of Lalmin Vita D, a dried, inactivated whole cell yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) containing elevated levels of vitamin D. Lalmin Vita D is produced using a patented process and is standardized to contain 8,000 IU of vitamin D per gram (200 µg/gram). The ingredient is a natural, non-synthetic and safe form of the vitamin D that is suitable for tabletting, softgels, capsules and food fortification.

Lallemand noted yeast naturally contains ergosterol, known as provitamin D; when live yeast cells are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, they transform the ergosterol into vitamin D2. The patented process used by Lallemand involves exposing the active yeast to UV light during fermentation to catalyze the conversion of endogenous ergosterol into vitamin D2. The yeast cream is inactivated through pasteurization and roller-dried, naturally enhancing the content of vitamin D in the yeast and preserving the level of vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients naturally present in yeast. The company has performed several bioavailability studies showing equivalent effects of yeast rich in vitamin D2 compared with synthetic vitamin D2 in supplement form and crystalline D2; four weeks of supplementation with each of the forms showed similar increases in 25-OH-D concentrations.