Vegan vitamin D3 from plants

The aim of DiP-DiPlanD is to obtain provitamin D3 and vitamin D3 on a purely plant-based basis for the production of pharmaceuticals. In contrast to the conventional production of these two raw materials from animal sources, the use of plants does not pose a risk of contamination with human pathogens. Ethical concerns are also eliminated.

The approach in DiP-DiPlanD is to use the ornamental plant Nierembergia repens as a source of vitamin D3. This plant species is characterized by an amazingly high content of provitamin D3. With the help of an energy-efficient, digitally controlled reactor that emits UVB light, the provitamin D3 is to be converted into the effective vitamin D3. Alternatively, provitamin D3 can also be enzymatically converted into cholesterol and used, for example, for the production of nanoparticles in RNA vaccine technology. DiP-DiPlanD also tries to use the side streams from photochemical vitamin D3 production pharmaceutically. The sustainability of plant-based vitamin D3 production is additionally improved by the use of a newly developed, environmentally friendly isolation process.

Close cooperation between the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, the Julius Kühn Institute of Plant Breeding, the Society for the Promotion of Medical Devices and the Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg ensures the successful establishment of Nierembergia repens as a raw material source for vegan vitamin D3.

DiP-DiPlanD thus not only strengthens Saxony-Anhalt’s position as an innovation location for sustainable biotechnology, but also creates new perspectives for regional agriculture and business. In addition to vitamin D3 production, opportunities are opening up for the development of other plant-based active ingredients for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. The reduction of import dependence and the potential for spin-offs lay the foundation for the transformation of Saxony-Anhalt into a model region for bio-based value creation.