Vitamin D3 and its metabolites in tomato, potato, egg plant and zucchini leaves

The presence of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and its hydroxylated metabolite 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH D3) was established in leaf extracts of Lycopersicon esculentum, Solanum tuberosum, S. melongena and Cucurbita pepo. Free vitamin D3 was detected in all the leaves of these plants with the exception of S. melongena. 25-OH D3 was detected only in the extract of L. esculentum. However, neither 1α-OH vitamin D3 (1α-OH D3) nor 1α,25(OH)2 D3 (calcitrol) was detected in any of the leaf extracts of these plants; no glycosides of either vitamin D3 or its hydroxylated metabolites were found.