Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

Cholecalciferol is the D3 form of vitamin D, CAS 67-97-0, molecular formula C27H44O, molecular weight 384.64. Commercial material is made by ultraviolet irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol obtained from lanolin (wool grease), followed by thermal isomerisation of the previtamin to cholecalciferol; a vegan route from selected lichen species is available where an animal-free declaration is required. Pharmacopoeial crystalline material assays 97.0 to 103.0 per cent C27H44O under USP, Ph. Eur. and BP. Potency is expressed against the international unit, where 1 IU equals 0.025 µg, so pure cholecalciferol carries 40,000,000 IU per gram. In nutrition, vitamin D contributes to normal absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus and to the maintenance of normal bone; it is a permitted fortificant in most export markets and is dosed at microgram level, which is why nearly all industrial use is of diluted, stabilised forms rather than the crystal. We supply four working formats. Crystalline cholecalciferol at 40 MIU/g suits customers who prepare their own dilutions under controlled conditions. Oily concentrates in refined vegetable oil or MCT at 1.0 and 4.0 MIU/g follow the Ph. Eur. cholecalciferol concentrate (oily form) pattern of not less than 500,000 IU/g with content 90.0 to 110.0 per cent of the labelled value, and are the usual choice for softgels, oral drops and edible-oil fortification. Powder and cold-water-dispersible beadlets at 100,000 IU/g match the Ph. Eur. concentrate (powder form) and (water-dispersible form) monographs; the beadlet is cholecalciferol held in medium-chain triglycerides within a starch-coated matrix of acacia and sucrose, with dl-alpha-tocopherol as antioxidant, giving free-flowing particles that survive tabletting, dry blending and aqueous dosing in dairy and plant-based drinks. Cholecalciferol is sensitive to oxygen, light, heat and acid, so all grades are filled under nitrogen and shipped protected from light. Every consignment is released against a batch certificate of analysis covering assay or potency by HPLC, identity by UV and infrared absorption, specific optical rotation, appearance, residual solvents, elemental impurities to ICH Q3D, and microbiological limits on the diluted grades. Documentation packs include MSDS, certificate of origin, allergen, GMO and BSE/TSE statements, nutritional and specification sheets, and where required halal, kosher and vegan certificates. Material is manufactured in GMP and FSSC 22000 certified plants, supported by stability data, and exported worldwide with cold-chain handling for crystalline material.