Intestinal Fermentation Lessens the Inhibitory Effects of Phytic Acid on Mineral Utilization in Rats

Manuscript received 10 December 1997. Initial reviews completed 9 February 1998. Revision accepted 23 March 1998.

Laboratoire Maladies Métaboliques et Micronutriments, Centre de Recherches en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne, I.N.R.A., Centre de Recherches Clermont-Ferrand/Theix, F-63122 St-Genès-Champanelle, France

The specific effects of phytic acid (PA) and resistant starch (RS) on mineral bioavailability, namely, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu, were investigated in rats adapted to semipurified diets. The diets provided either 73 g/100 g digestible wheat starch (DS) alone, or 53 g/100 g DS plus 20 g/100 g crude potato starch (RS) and either 0 or 1.1 g/100 g PA. A period of 3 wk was first planned to adapt the rats to their respective diets. Compared with rats fed the DS diets, those fed the RS diets had significant cecal hypertrophy and an accumulation of short-chain fatty acids, together with greater cecal blood flow. RS enhanced the cecal absorption of Ca and Mg (from 0.15 to 0.55 µmol/min for Ca, and from 0.10 to 0.35 µmol/min for Mg). Mineral balance was enhanced significantly by RS (Ca, +46%; Mg +50%; Fe +20%; Zn, + 33% and Cu, +61%). PA had no significant effect on Ca or Mg solubility and absorption in the cecum, and it failed to alter significantly Ca or Mg balance. The apparent absorption of Fe, Zn and Cu was significantly lower in rats fed the DS + PA diet than in rats fed the DS diet (Fe, 35%; Zn, 28%; and Cu, 31%). In rats adapted to the RS diet, the inhibitory effects of PA were practically abolished and the mineral balance was restored to the control values. We conclude that the negative effects of PA on mineral balance are relatively minor compared with the stimulatory effect of RS.

The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 128 No. 7 July 1998, pp. 1192-1198
Copyright ©1998 by the American Society for Nutritional Sciences

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Perez-Conesa, G. Lopez, and G. Ros Effect of Probiotic, Prebiotic and Synbiotic Follow-up Infant Formulas on Iron Bioavailability in Rats Food Science and Technology International, February 1, 2007; 13(1): 69 - 77. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Yasuda, K. R. Roneker, D. D. Miller, R. M. Welch, and X. G. Lei Supplemental Dietary Inulin Affects the Bioavailability of Iron in Corn and Soybean Meal to Young Pigs J. Nutr., December 1, 2006; 136(12): 3033 - 3038. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Tahiri, J. C Tressol, J. Arnaud, F. R. Bornet, C. Bouteloup-Demange, C. Feillet-Coudray, M. Brandolini, V. Ducros, D. Pepin, F. Brouns, et al. Effect of short-chain fructooligosaccharides on intestinal calcium absorption and calcium status in postmenopausal women: a stable-isotope study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2003; 77(2): 449 - 457. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Coudray, C. Demigne, and Y. Rayssiguier Effects of Dietary Fibers on Magnesium Absorption in Animals and Humans J. Nutr., January 1, 2003; 133(1): 1 - 4. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Coudray, J. Bellanger, M. Vermorel, S. Sinaud, D. Wils, C. Feillet-Coudray, M. Brandolini, C. Bouteloup-Demange, and Y. Rayssiguier Two Polyol, Low Digestible Carbohydrates Improve the Apparent Absorption of Magnesium but Not of Calcium in Healthy Young Men J. Nutr., January 1, 2003; 133(1): 90 - 93. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. M. Behall, J. C. Howe, and R. A. Anderson Apparent Mineral Retention Is Similar in Control and Hyperinsulinemic Men after Consumption of High Amylose Cornstarch J. Nutr., July 1, 2002; 132(7): 1886 - 1891. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Donovan, V. Crespy, C. Manach, C. Morand, C. Besson, A. Scalbert, and C. Rémésy Catechin Is Metabolized by Both the Small Intestine and Liver of Rats J. Nutr., June 1, 2001; 131(6): 1753 - 1757. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				H. W. Lopez, M.-A. Levrat-Verny, C. Coudray, C. Besson, V. Krespine, A. Messager, C. Demigné, and C. Rémésy Class 2 Resistant Starches Lower Plasma and Liver Lipids and Improve Mineral Retention in Rats J. Nutr., April 1, 2001; 131(4): 1283 - 1289. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				H. W. Lopez, F. Vallery, M.-A. Levrat-Verny, C. Coudray, C. Demigné, and C. Rémésy Dietary Phytic Acid and Wheat Bran Enhance Mucosal Phytase Activity in Rat Small Intestine J. Nutr., August 1, 2000; 130(8): 2020 - 2025. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				H. Hara, A. Konishi, and T. Kasai Contribution of the Cecum and Colon to Zinc Absorption in Rats J. Nutr., January 1, 2000; 130(1): 83 - 89. [Abstract] [Full Text]