Glycoprotein Matrix Zinc Exhibits Improved Absorption: A Randomized Crossover Trial

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 16; no. 7; p. 1012
• Main Authors: Jäger, Ralf, Purpura, Martin, Davis, Jaci, Keratsopoulos, Nikolas, Parra, Mandy E, Secrest, Ariane H, Tinsley, Grant M, Taylor, Lem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 30.03.2024
• Subjects: absorption; Bacteria; Bioavailability; Catheters; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary minerals; Dietary supplements; Enzymes; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Fermentation; Glycoproteins; Homeostasis; Humans; Metabolism; Nutrients; Plasma; postbiotic; Probiotics; Proteins; Questionnaires; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; whole-food nutrients; Yeast; Zinc; Zinc Oxide; Zinc oxides; United States > US; postbiotic; absorption; zinc; whole-food nutrients
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu16071012

Biotransformation of minerals via glycosylation by microorganisms such as yeast and/or probiotics yields nutrients bound to a food matrix, resulting in increased bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of glycoprotein matrix-bound zinc (GPM) on absorption compared to inorganic zinc oxide. Sixteen participants ingested 11 mg of zinc as either GPM™ Soy-Free Zinc (GPM, Ashland, Kearny, NJ, USA) or zinc oxide (USP). Blood samples were taken at 0 (i.e., baseline), 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, and 480 min post-ingestion. GPM zinc concentrations were significantly higher at 120 min ( = 0.02; 12.4 ± 5.1 mcg/dL), 180 min ( = 0.002; 16.8 ± 5.1 mcg/dL), and 240 min ( = 0.007; 14.6 ± 5.1 mcg/dL) in comparison to USP zinc oxide. In addition, GPM zinc significantly increased iAUC by 40% (5840 ± 2684 vs. 4183 ± 1132 mcg/dL * 480 min, = 0.02), and Cmax values were 10% higher in GPM compared to USP (148 ± 21 mcg/dL vs. 135 ± 17.5 mcg/dL, = 0.08). Tmax was 12% slower in GPM compared to USP (112.5 ± 38.7 min vs. 127.5 ± 43.1 min); however, differences in Tmax failed to reach statistical significance ( = 0.28). Zinc bound to a glycoprotein matrix significantly increased absorption compared to zinc oxide.