Biological evaluation of iron [II] and Zinc [II] -amino acids complexes

ABSTRACT

Essential metalloelements are usually present in the human body as low - molecular weight protein complexes and are required for various vital physiological and metabolic functions. The bioavailability of these elements depends on their absorption from food sources. Their lower or higher amounts adversely affect the biological functions. Iron [II] and zinc [II] complexes of twelve different amino acids, were synthesized and evaluated for their in - vivo absorption in rabbits. All the metal amino acid - complexes showed more absorption as compared to the respective inorganic salts. The iron [II] and zinc [II] phenylalaninates, leucinates and histidinates were more readily absorbed and showed higher metal concentration in sera as compared to the rest of metal - amino acid complexes. The phenylalaninates showed the highest absorption followed by leucinates and histidinates