Vitamin D composition of Australian foods

Abstract

Australia needs accurate vitamin D food composition data to support public health initiatives. Previously, limitations in analytical methodology have precluded development of a comprehensive database. We used liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QQQ) to analyse 149 composite samples representing 98 foods (primary samples n = 896) in duplicate for vitamin D , 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D ), vitamin D , 25(OH)D . The greatest concentrations of vitamin D were found in canned salmon and a malted chocolate drink powder (fortified); chicken eggs and chicken leg meat contained the most 25(OH)D . Margarine (fortified) and chocolate contained the greatest concentrations of vitamin D , with smaller amounts found in various meat products. 25(OH)D was detected in various foods, including meats, and was quantitated in lamb liver. These data advance knowledge of dietary vitamin D in Australia and highlight the importance of analysis of these four forms of vitamin D to accurately represent the vitamin D content of food. Show more