Nutriearth CEO: Mealworms sustainably produce an effective lipid carrier for vitamin D3

Insect-derived lipids are proving to be a functional and cost-effective delivery system for naturally sourced vitamin D3 that can address supply chain constraints and sustainability pressures. Nutriearth, a specialist extracting the nutrient from mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), spotlights new scientific evidence that preserving insect vitamin D3 in its native lipid matrix raises its efficacy in food-safe applications. 

Backed by more than 60 global patents, Nutriearth’s innovation consists of a process that mimics the human body’s own synthesis of vitamin D3, the most active and effective form of vitamin D. The company exposes its mealworm flour to a specific type of light. This flour is naturally rich in a vitamin D3 precursor identical to the one found in human skin.

A newly published three-study series in HealthMED explains how Nutriearth’s vitamin D3 is delivered and absorbed in rat models. A consistent takeaway across all three papers is that the lipid carrier matters as much as the dose, highlights the company.

One study focuses on intestinal absorption, the next on restoring vitamin D3 status through food fortification, and the third shows a 7.5-fold increase in vitamin D3 levels in the blood using a concentrated supplement format.

The research shows that vitamin D3 delivered in mealworm oil is absorbed more efficiently than in conventional formats, and that improved absorption translates into much higher and more consistent blood vitamin D levels, even at lower doses.

Nutrition Insight speaks to Jeremy Burks, CEO of Nutriearth, about the cost efficiencies the company’s technology raises for nutritional end products, regional market demand for insect-based supplements, and the overall effectiveness of the company’s novel food product.

How do higher circulating vitamin D3 levels at lower doses improve the cost-effectiveness of commercial products?
Burks: What’s exciting is that this enhanced efficiency comes from something fundamentally different in how Nutriearth vitamin D3 is produced and delivered. Unlike conventional vitamin D ingredients, where the vitamin is extracted and later blended into a carrier oil, Nutriearth vitamin D3 is naturally formed and retained within its native lipid matrix.

The studies show that when Nutriearth vitamin D3 is delivered within its native lipid matrix, it is absorbed and converted more effectively, meaning that manufacturers may be able to achieve the same biological impact with lower doses or deliver stronger efficacy at the same dose level. 

That flexibility can translate into meaningful advantages in both product positioning and cost efficiency, something that Nutriearth is already working on with customers in terms of their product formulations and positioning in the market. 

Ultimately, we see this as helping brands move beyond simply increasing vitamin D intake and instead focus on delivering measurable biological efficacy supported by formulation science.

Do you see insect-derived lipids emerging as a broader delivery platform for fat-soluble nutrients beyond vitamin D3?
Burks: Nutriearth’s advantage comes from the delightfully simple, but unique, natural source of vitamin D3. Our vitamin D3 is not extracted and then reintroduced into a carrier oil. It is produced directly within the lipid matrix of the ingredient itself through our biomimetic process. 

Research shows that vitamin D3 delivered in mealworm oil is absorbed more efficiently than in conventional formats.In other words, the “delivery platform” is truly natural and not a force fit. For Nutriearth, however, the focus remains on doing one thing: delivering natural vitamin D3 with demonstrably high bioavailability.

Which product categories have the most immediate commercial opportunity for this technology? 
Burks: We already have regulatory approvals for different product forms in North America, Europe, and Asia, with more in the pipeline. A key recent milestone was the positive safety opinion issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens in November 2025 for our food-oil ingredient, a vitamin D3-rich oil derived from T. molitor and evaluated under the EU Novel Food Regulation.

The EFSA panel concluded that this oil is safe under the proposed conditions of use in functional foods, representing an important step toward full European market authorization.

Our initial focus is on supplements in North America and Asia where the strong bioavailability demonstrated in the studies makes this especially attractive for premium supplement formulations.

In Europe and Asia, we see that health and other benefits can be delivered through functional foods, with the food-oil format incorporated into everyday products such as bakery, cereals, and dairy, allowing manufacturers to deliver meaningful vitamin D3 nutrition through daily consumption. In both cases, the opportunity for our partners is to combine naturality, demonstrated bioavailability, and regulatory credibility to create differentiated products.

Which markets are most prepared for these products in terms of consumer demand and acceptance?
Burks: Nutriearth products will resonate strongly with people looking for naturality and performance which is a global trend in health-conscious consumers. Historically, vitamin D3 sources have either been synthetic processes or natural sources with limited functionality.

Our approach combines a natural origin with scientific validation around superior bioavailability courtesy of the fact that the vitamin is naturally integrated into its lipid matrix, rather than artificially added.

That combination resonates particularly well in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, where consumers are actively seeking clean-label and science-backed nutrition solutions. The fact that our ingredients are produced in France under controlled manufacturing conditions also provides an additional level of confidence for international partners and consumers.

What are the biggest challenges for Nutriearth in the coming year?
Burks: Last year was a transformative year for Nutriearth. We commissioned our new production facility in France, expanded our global distribution partnerships with capable partners who can help us support customers, and achieved several important regulatory milestones. https://www.nutritioninsight.com/news/nutriearth-vitamin-d3-mealworm-tenebrio-molitor.html 

At the same time, the publication of three peer-reviewed studies demonstrating enhanced absorption and bioavailability provides strong scientific validation of our vitamin D3 uniquely produced and delivered within its native lipid matrix.

Our priority now is scaling responsibly, supporting our distribution partners, helping customers develop successful formulations, and continuing to strengthen the scientific and regulatory foundations for global expansion.

For us, the combination of regulatory validation, peer-reviewed science, and scalable production is what turns an interesting ingredient into a credible platform for the nutrition industry.