2019 Volume 66 Issue 8 Pages 299-304
The aim of this study was to determine the bioavailability of zinc in rats fed with zinc-enriched soybeans that were cultivated using a foliar spray containing zinc. Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed a basal diet (control), a zinc-deficient diet, or one of three test diets containing ordinary soybeans, zinc-enriched soybeans, and soybeans with zinc gluconate for 3 weeks. Body weight was significantly higher (p＜0.05) in rats fed zinc-enriched soybeans than in the control, ordinary soybean, and zinc-deficient diet groups. Apparent zinc absorption was also significantly higher (p＜0.05) in the zinc-enriched soybean group than in the control group (81.83±3.93 vs. 59.17±6.67%). Plasma superoxide dismutase and alkaline phosphatase activity in the zinc-enriched soybean group were significantly higher (p＜0.05) than in the zinc-deficient diet group. Moreover, bone strength was higher in the zinc-enriched soybean group compared with the zinc-deficient diet group (51.28±2.37 vs. 31.55±2.35N). These results suggest that the zinc in the zinc-enriched soybeans suppressed the inhibitory effect of phytic acid on zinc metabolism in rats.
