Bioavailability assessment of metals chelated as proteinates using the Ussing Chamber Model

Abstract

Preparation of proteinates by hydrolysis of organic matter produces a blend of different proteins, and may likely result in the chelation of trace elements. Often this process results in an increased bioavailability of minerals, leading to a higher absorption rate than inorganic salts (Cao et al., 2000; Uchida et al., 2001; Bailey et al., 2001; Guo et al., 2001). Usually trace elements uptake takes place along the small intestine, mainly jejunum (Tapia et al., 1996; Arredondo et al., 2000), even if the precise mechanisms underlying transport are not well understood. If these complexes are formed among metals and amino acids, they could be easily transported across the intestinal membrane by amino acids carriers