Interaction of minerals with

other minerals.

SUBMITTED BY
SHYLESH B
Jr MVSc
• Minerals may interact both with each other and with other nutrient
and non-nutritive factors.
• This interaction, which may be,
• Synergistic (elements which mutually enhance their absorption in the
digestive tract and jointly fulfil some metabolic function at the tissue
or cell).
• Antagonistic (elements which inhibit the absorption of each other in
the digestive tract and produce effects on any biochemical function in
the organism).
Synergism

At the gastrointestinal tract :

• Due to direct interaction between elements (Ca with P, Na with CI, Zn
with Mo), the level of absorption enhances provided the elements are
at proper ratio.
At the tissue and cell metabolism level

• Direct interaction between elements in structural processes such as

Ca and P in the formation of bone hydroxyapatite, joint participation
of Fe and Cu in the formation of haemoglobin,
• Interaction of Mn with Zn in the conformation of RNA molecules in
the liver.
• Simultaneous participation of elements in the active centre of some
enzymes such as Fe and Mo in xanthine and aldehyde oxidases.
• Cu and Fe in cytochrome oxidase are noteworthy examples of
synergistic interaction which jointly fullfil metabolic function at the
tissue or cell level.
Antagonism

• As distinct from synergism, which is most often mutual, antagonism

may be one or two-sided.

E.g,
1. P and Mg, Zn and Cu inhibit the absorption of each other in the
intestine,
2. whereas K inhibits the absorption of Zn and Mn, but not the other
way round.
Inhibition of absorption of some elements by others in
the digestive tract may proceed by the
following mechanisms:

• Excess presence of Mg in the diet may form complex magnesium

phosphate affect the absorption of both the elements , similarly
reaction between Cu and sulphate makes complex compound.

• Formation of the triple Ca-P--Zn salt in the presence of high Ca in the

diet is another example which reduces absorption.
• Some elements when in excess may get adsorbed on the surface of
colloidal particles such as fixation of Mn and Fe on particles of
insoluble magnesium or aluminium salts affects absorption.
Antagonistic interaction mechanism may also be noted during
tissue metabolism where minerals are mainly present as ions.

Direct interaction of simple and complex inorganic ions.

e.g, ( copper-molybdenum)

Competition between ions for the active centres in the enzyme

systems.
e.g, (Mg2+ and Mn2+ in metallo-enzyme complex of alkaline
phosphatase, cholinesterase, enolase etc.)
Competition for the bond with the carrier substance in the blood.
e.g, Fe2+ competing with Zn2+ for the bond with plasma transferrin-a
globulin that binds two atoms of iron and that serves to transport
iron in the blood.
Activation by ions of enzyme systems with opposite
functions

• When ascorbate oxidase is activated by copper, it will oxidise vitamin

C and will make it ineffective,

• Whereas activation by Zn and Mn ions of lactonases promote the

synthesis of this vitamin.
• ATPase is activated by Mg2+ but is inhibited by Ca2+.

• It is thus concluded that the antagonism of mineral elements is a

complex process of biotic interrelationships.
 Phosphorus and Calcium:

• Phosphorus intake can interfere with Ca absorption and causes

elevated Ca excretion and bone mineral loss.

• This is of particular concern for animals which consume feed stuffs

containing high level of phosphate.

• The presence of excess of Ca in the diet affects adversely the

intestinal absorption of P and vice versa.
 Zinc and Copper

• Zinc has an inverse relationship with copper in the animal body.

• Adequate Cu levels are essential for wound healing and recovery.

Copper and Iron:

• Cu affect iron metabolism for Haemoglobin synthesis, intestinal

absorption, release from storage and cellular utilization during
synthesis.

Calcium and Zinc:

• Elevated level of Ca induces deficiency of Zn.

• Ca affects Zinc absorption.
Miscellaneous interactions:

• Deficiency of cobalt causes anaemia, because it affects iron

absorption.
• The amount of molybdenum in the diet can be increased to
counteract toxic effects of Cu.
Sources

• McDonald,P.,Edwards,R.,Morgan,CA.,greenhalgh,JFD.2011. Animal
Nutrition.

• Mineral Nutrition of Livestock, 4th Edition by Neville F. Suttle.

THANK YOU