This study aimed to test and refine a new method of mushroom vitamin and
mineral enrichment with the use of novel ‘during-growth’ and ‘water-on’ liquid
supplements. Through experimental trials, different formulations and dosages,
as produced by NutriGain Ltd, were compared along with untreated and UV
treated mushrooms, all in commercial conditions, through collaboration with
Drinkwater Mushrooms Ltd. This aimed to assess the product in its suitability
for providing nutritionally relevant content of Vitamin D, as well as the Bvitamins; B1, B2, B6 and B12, and Selenium. Vitamin D is the most important
target of enrichment due to the possibility in replacing the current energyintensive and high associated carbon emitting method of UV enrichment,
which comes with many issues such as limited application (only brown
mushrooms) and slowed packaging for application after growth. This has
great potential benefits and opportunities for novel food products and public
health by increasing levels of vitamins to combat deficiencies which are
becoming more common in the UK and globally, especially vitamin D
deficiencies.

The experiment involved commercial growth trials using white button
mushrooms conducted at Drinkwater Mushrooms Ltd., with applications of
product produced by NutriGain and analysis of vitamins and mineral content
at Lancaster Environment Centre using HPLC and ICP-OES methods. A
dosage rate in vitamin D of around 125-150 mg/m2 in a calcium-based
formulation of the liquid supplement was identified to yield higher vitamin D
contents than other formulations tested, such as potassium-based, and was
successful in matching UV-produced levels of vitamin D, without
discolouration of white mushrooms. Enrichment with the novel MycroNutrient
product gave a significant improvement compared to untreated samples, at
levels of around 30 µg/g DW, whilst also providing nutritionally relevant levels
of B-vitamins. All at a predicted annual carbon emission reduction of 99% in
the process alone through the replacement of the UV method for this new
treatment being applied to all mushrooms, both white and brown.