Food chain as origin of vitamin D in fish
D. Sunita Rao and N. Raghuramulu.
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology
Volume 114, Issue 1, May 1996, Pages 15-19
doi:10.1016/0300-9629(95)02024-1
Plankton, the chief food source of fish, was assessed as the possible dietary origin of vitamin D in fish. The presence of vitamin D compounds were examined in fresh water phytoplankton and zooplankton employing a series of chromatographic procedures. Abundant amounts of provitamins D and vitamins D (D2 and D3) were found in the fresh water plankton. The high amount of vitamin D observed may be due to exposure of plankton to sunlight because the plankton were caught during the summer month. Thus, plankton may be an important contributor to vitamin D in fish.