Method and apparatus for vitamin d enhancement in mushrooms

Abstract

An apparatus and method for increasing Vitamin D content in mushrooms is disclosed. A mushroom slurry of comminuted or pulverized mushrooms or mushroom parts and liquid, such as water, is passed under a UV light source. The slurry may be conveyed to the UV light source by a vibrating conveyor. After UV light exposure, the treated slurry may be dried and ground into a powder, or the treated slurry may be filtered and the insoluble portion may be dried and ground into a powder. The irradiated mushroom powder has a mass fraction of Vitamin D2 of at least 2500 IU/gram of powder, and more preferably at least 20,000 IU/gram of powder. Irradiated mushroom powder may be incorporated into consumable food product for humans or animals, and/or may be incorporated into topical preparations for cosmetic use.

1 . An apparatus for increasing vitamin D content of mushrooms, comprising:
 a source of ultraviolet light, said source capable of emitting light with wavelengths in the range of about 200 to about 800 nanometers;   apparatus to pulverize or comminute mushrooms into particles to form a mushroom slurry of mushroom particles suspended in liquid; and   a conveyor to convey the mushroom slurry of mushroom particles suspended in liquid for exposure to light emitted by the lamp.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a light chamber housing the source of ultraviolet light; and   means for controlling temperature within the light chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus to pulverize or comminute the mushrooms into particles is selected from the group consisting of blenders, high shear mixers, homogenizers and pressure reactors. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor is selected from the group consisting of: vibrating conveyor, shaker table, vibrating pan and vibrating chute. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a recycle line to redirect mushroom slurry onto the conveyor for another exposure to ultraviolet light emitted from the source of ultraviolet light.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a filter or other means to separate the irradiated mushroom slurry into a soluble fraction and an insoluble fraction.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the filter is selected from the group consisting of:
 filter paper, filter bag, filter press, and centrifuge.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the source of ultraviolet light is selected from the group consisting of: electric glow discharge lamps, medium pressure mercury vapor lamps, low pressure mercury vapor lamps, microwave powered fusion ultraviolet lamps, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and low pressure amalgam lamps. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the source of ultraviolet light emits pulses of light with wavelengths in the range of about 200 to about 800 nanometers. 
     
     
         10 . A method for increasing vitamin D content of mushrooms, comprising:
 providing a mushroom slurry of mushroom particles suspended in a liquid; and   irradiating the mushroom slurry with ultraviolet light with wavelengths in the range of about 200 to about 800 nanometers.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the ratio of liquid to mushroom particles in the slurry is at least 3:1 (by weight). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein irradiating is with a source of ultraviolet light and the source of ultraviolet light is selected from the group consisting of electric glow discharge lamps, medium pressure mercury vapor lamps, low pressure mercury vapor lamps, microwave powered fusion ultraviolet lamps, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and low pressure amalgam lamps. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 conveying the mushroom slurry past the source of ultraviolet light with a conveyor selected from the group consisting of vibrating conveyor, shaker table, vibrating pan and vibrating chute.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising re-conveying the mushroom slurry past the source of ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 vibrating the mushroom slurry while the mushroom slurry is irradiated.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 separating the mushroom slurry into soluble and insoluble fractions.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 drying the insoluble fraction to form a filter cake; and   grinding the filter cake to form a powder.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 drying the irradiated slurry; and   grinding the dried slurry to form a powder.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said mushroom powder has a mass fraction of Vitamin D2 of at least 2500 IU/gram of powder. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the mushroom powder has a moisture content of less than about 30% moisture by weight.