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Vitamin D deficiency has widespread global prevalence. Fresh mushrooms exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation generate vitamin D2 which remains after drying. It is not clear if vitamin D2 is retained after rehydration and cooking of dried mushrooms. The aim of this study was to determine the true retention of both vitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (25(OH)D2) after cooking UV-irradiated, air-dried, then rehydrated button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). Mushrooms were exposed to pulsed UV radiation, then air-dried in a convection oven, followed by rehydration in warm water. Samples were cooked in three different ways: frying (5 min), baking (10 min, 200 °C) and boiling (20 min, 90 °C). Compared to rehydrated, uncooked controls, there was a high retention of D vitamers (≥95%) after cooking. Frying and baking resulted in significantly higher vitamin D2 retention compared to boiling (p2 after rehydration and cooking.

Nearly one in four Australian adults is vitamin D deficient (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations [25(OH)D] 50 nmol LNationally representative food consumption data were collected for Australians aged ≥ 2 years (n = 12,153) as part of the cross-sectional 2011-2013 Australian Health Survey (AHS). New analytical vitamin D food composition data for vitamin DAssuming a 25(OH)D bioactivity factor of 1, mean daily intakes of vitamin D ranged between 1.84 and 3.25 µg dayUsual vitamin D intakes in Australia are low. This evidence, paired with the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Australia, suggests that data-driven nutrition policy is required to safely increase dietary intakes of vitamin D and improve vitamin D status at the population level.

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 D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), vitamin D2, 25(OH)D2. The greatest concentrations of vitamin D3 were found in canned salmon and a malted chocolate drink powder (fortified); chicken eggs and chicken leg meat contained the most 25(OH)D3. Margarine (fortified) and chocolate contained the greatest concentrations of vitamin D2, with smaller amounts found in various meat products. 25(OH)D2 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.

Some nutrient data for beef sausages in Australia’s food composition table, NUTTAB 2010, is over 25 years old and may no longer reflect the composition of this popular food. To update this, 41 retail samples of fresh beef sausages were purchased in Melbourne, Australia, in May 2015. Each purchase was analysed, uncooked, for moisture, protein and fat. Sausages were then grouped by fat content into one of three composites and analysed for a wide range of nutrients, before and after dry heat cooking, the most popular sausage cooking method. Fat content in raw sausages averaged 14.9 g/100 g, 30% lower than NUTTAB values, varying from 7.3 to 22.6 g/100 g. This indicates it is possible to formulate leaner sausages that meet consumer expectations and may qualify for certain nutrition labelling statements. Under current Australian labelling requirements, two low fat sausages contain sufficient protein, B12, niacin, phosphorus and zinc to qualify as a good source of these nutrients and sufficient iron, selenium and vitamin A to qualify as a source of these. Sodium levels are higher than fresh beef, ranging from 680 to 840 mg/100 g. These data will be used to update NUTTAB and support product labelling and consumer education.

This paper reports a method for the rapid, sensitive and simultaneous analysis of vitamin D (Vit D) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OH-Vit D) in meats. Samples were saponified and underwent solid phase extraction with analysis by normal phase liquid chromatography (LC) with ion trap mass spectroscopy (IT-MS), using positive polarity atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI). Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for Vit D and 25OH-Vit D were 0.03 and 0.05 μg/100g respectively. Deuterium labelled Vit D and 25OH-Vit D internal standards were added as surrogates prior to saponification, correcting for extraction inefficiencies and potential MS matrix enhancement or suppression effects. Recoveries using internal/surrogate standard correction ranged from 80% to 100% for all vitamers. Measurement uncertainty ranged from 6% to 15% for all vitamers in this method. This process required only 7.5 g of sample per extraction and a batch of 28 extractions could be completed in six hours.

Antioxidant measurement assays are widely used and should be chosen based on their being fit for purpose. Likewise, the mode of reporting antioxidant measurements should also be fit for purpose. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay is widely used internationally for measuring the antioxidant capacity of commodities using the peroxyl radical. However, the current mode of reporting of the ORAC values is not obvious, especially for the consumer groups. In this mode, reporting of the ORAC values is the unit of micromoles of vitamin E analogue (VEA), known commercially as Trolox Equivalents per kilogram or per litre (μM T.E./kg or L). Unlike mass units, molar units are not widely used in nutrition information panels (NIP). This paper presents a simple mathematical model for conversion of ORAC values to mass units to facilitate better understanding of the antioxidant capacity quoted. Additionally, mass values are in keeping with current labelling practice in Australia. Unless legislation is passed for the regulation of ORAC data use in labelling and product marketing, mass units should be considered as a mode of reporting, limiting sensationalism of antioxidant capacity and keeping with current labelling practice.

A study of the nutrient composition of Australian pork was undertaken to determine whether new breeding, feeding and processing methods had resulted in any changes in pork samples in the market place since surveys undertaken in previous decades. Samples of 13 popular pork cuts were purchased from randomly selected supermarkets and butchers' stores in urban areas across the socioeconomic scale in three States of Australia, and analysed, raw and cooked, separable fat and separable lean, for nutrient composition (proximate components, minerals, vitamins) in late 2005 and early 2006. Results showed that present-day pork separable lean tissue continues to be low in fat, in line with stated objectives of practices implemented by the industry in Australia. Pork remains a good source of protein and of thiamin and other water-soluble vitamins, the latter being detected at nutritionally significant levels in fat tissue as well as lean; folate was detected in most samples, lean and fat portions. Iron content appeared to be slightly lower than in previous decades.