Mushroom Micronutrients: Vitamin D and Ergothioneine
Learn how UV exposure raises vitamin D2 in mushrooms, how ergothioneine is produced and measured, and how both are regulated.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Mushroom Micronutrients: Vitamin D and Ergothioneine
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Medicinal & Functional Fungi. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course focuses on two micronutrients for which mushrooms are genuinely distinctive: vitamin D2 and ergothioneine. You will learn how ergosterol in mushrooms is converted into vitamin D2 by UV light, the technologies used to treat fresh and dried mushrooms, how vitamin D2 is measured and declared on labels, and how ergothioneine is formed, found in foods, produced industrially and analysed in the laboratory.
These compounds offer real opportunities for growers and food companies, from UV-treated mushrooms that can carry vitamin D declarations to ergothioneine as an ingredient in its own right. Growers, food technologists and nutrition professionals need to understand the processes, analytics and rules involved, including Novel Food authorisations and conditions of use. The course combines chemistry with practical production and regulatory detail. In your final project you will develop a product proposal for a UV-treated mushroom or an ergothioneine-containing food, including process description, analytical plan, expected nutrient levels based on published data and a compliant labelling approach.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in medicinal fungi, useful in areas such as mushroom production, food manufacturing, nutritional ingredients, food retail private label.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Learn how UV exposure raises vitamin D2 in mushrooms, how ergothioneine is produced and measured, and how both are regulated.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Ergosterol and Vitamin D2 Formation; UV Treatment Technologies for Mushrooms.
- Put them into practice: Measuring Vitamin D2 and Label Declarations; Ergothioneine: Chemistry and Dietary Sources.
- Apply everything to a real case: Ergothioneine Production and Analysis; Novel Food Status and Market Applications.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain how UV exposure converts ergosterol into vitamin D2 in mushrooms.
- Compare UV treatment technologies for commercial mushroom production.
- Plan analytical testing to support vitamin D2 label declarations.
- Describe the sources, production and analysis of ergothioneine.
- Identify regulatory conditions for vitamin D mushrooms and ergothioneine ingredients.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Growers, food technologists and nutrition professionals.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic knowledge of food science or nutrition is recommended. No laboratory access is required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Production manager introducing UV treatment on a mushroom farm
- Food technologist developing vitamin D mushroom products
- Product manager for ergothioneine ingredients
- Nutrition professional advising food companies
- Quality specialist responsible for nutrient declarations
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Ergosterol and Vitamin D2 Formation | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | UV Treatment Technologies for Mushrooms | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Measuring Vitamin D2 and Label Declarations | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Ergothioneine: Chemistry and Dietary Sources | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Ergothioneine Production and Analysis | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Novel Food Status and Market Applications | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Ergosterol in fungal membranes
- Photochemistry of D2 formation
- Factors affecting conversion
- Pulsed and continuous UV systems
- Treating fresh versus dried mushrooms
- Process control and safety
- HPLC and LC-MS methods for D2
- Stability during storage and cooking
- Nutrition declarations and reference intakes
- Structure and properties
- Biosynthesis in fungi
- Occurrence in mushrooms and other foods
- Extraction from mushrooms
- Fermentation-based production
- Analytical quantification
- Novel Food authorisations and conditions
- Fortified foods and supplements
- Market positioning without health promises
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A product proposal for a UV-treated mushroom or ergothioneine food, with process, analysis and labelling plan.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and module exercises such as process calculations and label drafts. The final product proposal is reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Medicinal Fungi school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Mushroom Micronutrients: Vitamin D and Ergothioneine?
Basic knowledge of food science or nutrition is recommended. No laboratory access is required.
How is Mushroom Micronutrients: Vitamin D and Ergothioneine taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and module exercises such as process calculations and label drafts. The final product proposal is reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A product proposal for a UV-treated mushroom or ergothioneine food, with process, analysis and labelling plan.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Mushroom Micronutrients: Vitamin D and Ergothioneine?
The natural next step is Diploma in Functional & Medicinal Mushrooms.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).