Phytate × Calcium/Zinc Molar Ratios: Are They Predictive of Zinc Bioavailability?

Abstract

ABSTRACT The utility of the phytate/zinc and phytate × calcium/zinc molar ratios for predicting zinc bioavailability from processed soybean foods was investigated. Weight gain and bone zinc accumulation in rats fed various soy protein products were plotted against the calculated molar ratios. The phytate × calcium/zinc ratio was a better predictor of zinc bioavailability in similarly processed products than was the phytate/ zinc ratio. However, in some cases the phytate × calcium/zinc ratio was not effective since some processing procedures apparently altered binding of phytic acid to minerals and other food components.