Vitamin D Enriched Edible Mushrooms: A Review

Abstract

Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins to human health as it plays a significant role in human’s various physiological functions including metabolism of phosphorus and calcium, neuromuscular and skeletal homeostasis and is also effective against various diseases. Although it is found in two major forms, vitamin D3 (from animal-derived products) and vitamin D2 (from plant, mushrooms and yeast), it is reported that vitamin D2 functions similar to vitamin D3 as both possess the ability to improve overall vitamin D levels in blood. Also, vitamin D2 obtained from mushrooms do not show hypercalcaemic effects reported during the use of vitamin D3. Hence, we aimed in this study to put mushrooms as a potential source of dietary vitamin D under the spot. Moreover, we mentioned examples of mushroom species reported to contain vitamin D in their composition. Some factors controlling the level of vitamin D in these mushrooms were also highlighted.