Abstract
We developed a simplified everted gut assay for iron absorption, involving preincubation of pancreatin and bile. This method is convenient and effective, especially when radioactive authentic materials are difficult to obtain. We applied this method to the measurement of iron absorption of hemoglobin and heme iron compound (HIP). HIP is an iron-rich compound derived from hemoglobin by utilizing endo-proteinase and an ultrafiltration membrane. It was found that the iron absorption of HIP was almost the same as that of hemoglobin, although the HIP was 4-5 times richer in iron than hemoglobin. Despite the presence of phytin (iron/phytin=1/3 as mol), the iron absorption of HIP did not decrease. It was suggested that the iron of HIP was not inhibited by other food components.
