Vitamin D2, is a type of vitamin D found in plants and yeast. It has no antirachitic activity. It is used in the treatment of hypoparathyroidism (a condition in which not enough parathyroid hormone can be produced by the body), refractory rickets (softening and weakening of bones that does not respond to treatment, it is also known as vitamin D resistant rickets), and familial hypophosphatemia (rickets or osteomalacia caused by an inherited condition with a decreased ability to break down vitamin D in the body). Ergocalciferol is also used as a rodenticide.
| Form |
odorless white to yellowish powder |
| MF |
C28H44O |
| MW | 396.65 |
| Melting point |
114-118 °C(lit.) |
| Boiling point |
460.3°C (rough estimate) |
| Density | 0.9784 (rough estimate) |
| Refractive index | 1.5100 (estimate) |
| Pka |
14.74±0.20(Predicted) |
| Storage temp. |
-20°C |
|
ITEMS |
SPECIFICATION |
|
Appearance |
Meet the requirement |
|
Identification |
Meet the requirement |
|
Examination |
Dissolve 10mg of vitamin D2 into 2ml of 90% ethanol, add 2ml solution of digitalis saponin and incubate for 18 hours. No precipitation or cloud should be observed. |
|
Melting Range |
115 ~ 119°C |
|
Specific Rotation |
+103°~+106 |
|
Solubility |
Freely soluble in alcohol |
|
Reducing Substances |
Max 20ppm |
|
Ergosterol |
none |
|
OrganicVolatilityImpurities |
Corresponding using method IV(467) |
It can be applied to biochemical studies; its clinical drug belongs to a lipid-soluble vitamin which can promote the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus which plays a role of facilitating the calcification of bone. It is clinically used for prevention and treatment of rickets in children and adult osteomalacia.
Vitamin D2 can maintain the normal metabolism of calcium and phosphorus and can also promote the body's absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Upon its deficiency, the children are easy to get rickets. China ruled that it can be applied for strengthening margarine with the usage amount being 125~156 μg/kg; its usage amount in fortified dairy is 63~125μg/kg; the usage amount in strengthening infant and children food used is 50~100μg/kg; the usage amount in strengthening milk or milk beverage is 10~40μg/kg; the maximal allowable usage amount in the strengthening solid drinks and ice cream is 10~20μg/kg.
It is mainly applied to the prevention and treatment of rickets, osteomalacia, and infant tetany psychosis.
