Oyster Peptide-Ferrous Chelate Preparation Optimization Structural Characteristics and Enhanced Bioavailability.

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Iron deficiency anemia is a global health issue.
• Conventional inorganic iron supplements have limitations in bioavailability and cause side effects.
• Organic iron supplements offer a potential alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel organic iron supplement, oyster peptide ferrous chelate (OP-Fe).
• To evaluate the bioavailability and absorption efficiency of OP-Fe compared to ferrous sulfate.
• To investigate the mechanism of iron absorption enhancement by OP-Fe.

Main Methods:

• Optimization of OP-Fe preparation using single-factor experiments and statistical analysis.
• Characterization of OP-Fe structure and iron complexation.
• In vitro Caco-2 cell assays to determine iron absorption rates.
• In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in mice to assess iron bioavailability.
• Analysis of iron transport-related gene expression.

Main Results:

• Optimal conditions for OP-Fe preparation were identified, yielding a high iron content.
• OP-Fe demonstrated significantly higher iron absorption in Caco-2 cells (76.07%) compared to ferrous sulfate (52.39%).
• In vivo studies showed increased iron accumulation in mice serum and small intestine with OP-Fe.
• OP-Fe upregulated key iron transport genes (PEPT1, TFR1, DMT1).

Conclusions:

• OP-Fe is a stable organic iron chelate with enhanced bioavailability.
• OP-Fe presents a promising alternative to conventional iron supplements for managing iron deficiency.
• The improved absorption is attributed to stable complexation and upregulation of iron transport mechanisms.