Nutriearth scales light-activated vitamin D3 from an intriguing new source

Nutriearth Scales Light-Activated Vitamin D3

Nutriearth, a French startup, has found a new source for producing vitamin D3: mealworms. According to CEO Jeremy Burks, while raising mealworms for bulk protein is economically challenging, they are well-suited for producing a more lucrative product, vitamin D3.

There are several forms of vitamin D, but the dominant form in supplements is vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). This form is produced when UV-B light from the sun converts a sterol in skin (7-DHC) to "pre-vitamin D3," which then transforms into cholecalciferol.

Deficiency is common even in sunny regions when modern lifestyles limit time outdoors.

As many people get too little exposure to sunlight and some are less efficient at making and using cholecalciferol, deficiency is a common issue. Nutriearth is now scaling production of vitamin D3 from mealworms for human consumption.

Author's summary: Nutriearth produces vitamin D3 from mealworms.

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AFN AFN — 2025-10-29

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