Modification of an in-vitro method for estimating the bioavailability of zinc and calcium from foods.
A continuous flow in-vitro method for estimating the bioavailability of minerals and trace elements was modified. This modified method includes a simulated gastric digestion with pepsin, gradual pH change during the first 30 min of dialysis in an Amicon stirred cell, and a further 2 h of continuous dialysis accompanied by intestinal digestion with pancreatin-bile extract. The percentage of continuously dialysed minerals or trace elements (dialysability) is used to express the bioavailability. Comparison of different in-vitro methods by using the dialysability of zinc and calcium from milk- and soy-based formula samples revealed that with the modified method the results are closer to the in-vivo situation and could be used as a relative index for predicting the bioavailability of some minerals and trace elements.
Shen
L H
LH
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UIA), Wilrijk, Belgium.
Luten
J
J
Robberecht
H
H
Bindels
J
J
Deelstra
H
H
D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003956:Dialysis; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010434:Pepsin A / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine; D015032:Zinc / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D010434:Pepsin A; D015032:Zinc