Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
Vitamins
Nutritional Enhancers
67-97-0
C₂₇H₄₄O
$20.09 ~ $30.13
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/barrel
One unit of:25kg/barrel
25kg/barrel
Product Info
What is Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)?
Cholecalciferol, also known as Vitamin D3, is a fat-soluble secosteroid essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphate, and it is widely used as a dietary supplement and food additive for nutritional fortification.
How is Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw Material Preparation | Extract cholesterol from lanolin (sheep wool grease) and chemically convert it into purified 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC). | Purity of the starting 7-DHC is the most critical factor. Any sterol impurities can result in unwanted and potentially harmful byproducts in later steps. |
| 2 | Photochemical Reaction | Irradiate a solution of 7-DHC with a specific wavelength of ultraviolet (UVB) light, which opens a chemical bond to form pre-vitamin D3. | Precise control of UV wavelength, intensity, and exposure time is essential. Over-exposure creates inactive isomers like lumisterol and tachysterol, reducing yield and purity. |
| 3 | Thermal Isomerization | Gently heat the solution containing pre-vitamin D3. This thermal energy causes a molecular rearrangement, converting it into the stable, biologically active cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3). | This is a temperature-dependent equilibrium reaction. The temperature and heating duration must be strictly controlled to maximize the conversion to cholecalciferol and minimize degradation. |
| 4 | Purification | Separate the cholecalciferol from unreacted 7-DHC, pre-vitamin D3, and other byproducts using methods like crystallization or High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). | The efficiency of the separation step determines the final purity and concentration of the product. The final material must meet strict pharmacopeial standards (e.g., USP, EP). |
| 5 | Formulation & Stabilization | Dissolve or formulate the pure cholecalciferol (which is an unstable oil/resin) into a stable form, such as microencapsulated beadlets or an oil solution, adding an antioxidant (e.g., tocopherols/Vitamin E). | Cholecalciferol is extremely sensitive to oxidation. The addition of an antioxidant and the formulation process are critical for ensuring product stability and a viable shelf-life. |
| 6 | Quality Control & Packaging | Conduct final assays to confirm potency (in International Units), purity, and identity. Package the product in light-proof, airtight containers, often under a nitrogen atmosphere. | The final product's potency (IU/g) must be verified. The packaging must provide a complete barrier to light and oxygen, which are the primary drivers of Vitamin D3 degradation. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 67-97-0 |
| Chemical Formula | C₂₇H₄₄O |
| Solubility | Practically insoluble in water; freely soluble in ethanol, methanol; slightly soluble in vegetable oils |
| Storage Conditions | Store in dark, sealed container at 2–8 °C |
| Shelf Life | 36 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
Food fortification
dietary supplements
feed additive
pharmaceuticals
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Nutrient Fortificant; Vitamin Supplement. |
| Key Ingredients | Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3). |
| Mechanism of Action | Acts as a prohormone metabolized by the body into calcitriol. After ingestion, calcitriol binds to the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) in intestinal epithelial cells, upregulating the expression of calcium transport proteins (e.g., calbindin-D9k). This directly facilitates the active absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus from the small intestine into the bloodstream, which is critical for bone mineralization and calcium homeostasis. |
| Application Effect in Product | Enriches foods such as milk, dairy alternatives, infant formula, and cereals to increase their nutritional value; helps consumers meet dietary reference intakes for vitamin D; supports public health objectives to prevent deficiency-related conditions (e.g., rickets, osteoporosis); provides a stable, bioavailable source of the nutrient without altering the food's sensory properties or physical stability. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) | Vitamin D Supplement (Prohormone) | Naturally produced in skin via sunlight; requires liver and kidney conversion to become active. Most common OTC form. | More effective and has a longer half-life than Vitamin D2 for raising blood levels. Excellent safety profile. Widely available and affordable. | Relies on healthy liver and kidney function for activation. Slower to raise levels than active metabolites. | General supplementation for preventing and treating vitamin D deficiency in healthy individuals; supporting bone health. | For routine, over-the-counter supplementation in the general population due to superior bioavailability over D2 and a high safety margin. |
| Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) | Vitamin D Supplement (Prohormone) | Plant/fungi-derived (e.g., irradiated yeast); also requires liver and kidney conversion. | Suitable for vegans who avoid animal-derived D3. Historically common in prescription high-dose formulas. | Less effective at raising and maintaining serum vitamin D levels compared to D3; shorter half-life. | Vitamin D supplementation for strict vegans; when D3 is unavailable or not preferred for dietary reasons. | When a plant-based source is a strict requirement or it's the specific form prescribed by a doctor. |
| Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) | Active Vitamin D Hormone | The fully activated form of vitamin D. Does not require conversion by the liver or kidneys. Prescription only. | Bypasses the need for kidney activation, making it effective for patients with renal failure. Very potent and fast-acting. | High risk of causing hypercalcemia (dangerously high blood calcium). Requires close medical monitoring. Very short half-life. | Treating hypocalcemia in patients with chronic kidney disease, renal failure, or hypoparathyroidism. | Under strict medical supervision when the body cannot activate standard Vitamin D due to specific organ dysfunction (especially kidneys). |
| Calcifediol (25-hydroxyvitamin D) | Vitamin D Prohormone Metabolite | Intermediate form that has undergone liver conversion; only requires kidney activation. Prescription only. | Bypasses the need for liver conversion, making it useful for patients with liver disease. Faster and more potent than D3 at raising blood levels. | Still requires healthy kidney function to become fully active. More expensive than D3/D2. | Treating vitamin D deficiency in individuals with liver disease or malabsorption conditions that impair the initial conversion step. | When liver disease prevents the efficient conversion of standard D3, but kidney function remains intact. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
COA, Technical Spec, MSDS
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Provided with shipment
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications