Vitamin D (Calciferol - vitamin D2)
The main forms are Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol-plant origin) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol-animal origin). Vitamin D2 forms colourless, acicular crystals or a crystalline powder without taste and of only faint odour. Vitamin D2 is easily soluble in either chloroform or benzene, ethanol, acetone and fatty oils and insoluble in water. Vitamin D2 is sensitive against atmospheric oxygen. It is not stable either in the presence of oxidizing substances and oxygen carriers. Moreover, vitamin D2 is destroyed by acids, metal ions as well as UV and visible light.