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Zinc Concentrations and Forms in Plants for Humans and Animals

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Zinc in Soils and Plants

Part of the book series: Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences ((DPSS,volume 55))

Abstract

Foods derived form plants are poorer sources of Zn for humans and monogastric animals when compared to those from animals because they can contain substances which interfere with the absorption and/or utilization (i.e., bioavailability) of Zn. Examples of these substances include phytic acid and certain types of fibre, especially fibre from whole cereal grains. However, these substances are also known to play important roles in either the life cycle of higher plants or possibly, in the prevention of several human diseases including heart disease and certain forms of cancer. Therefore, it is not wise to reduce the content of these substances in food crops or in diets without a more thorough understanding of their role(s) in plant growth or human health. Indeed, current recommended dietary goals for people in the United States advise that citizens double their daily consumption of foods high in fibre by eating twice as much whole cereal grain and legume seed products. Low molecular weight, soluble, anionic, Zn complexes comprise the majority of the naturally occurring forms of Zn in edible portions of food crops. Animal products contain higher concentrations of some substances which promote Zn bioavailability than do plant food products. Thus, it may be more desirable to increase the concentration of promoters of Zn bioavailability in plant foods than to reduce the level of antinutritive substances which interfere with the bioavialability of Zn. The nutritional quality of food crops, with respect to the Zn concentration in edible portions, can be increased significantly by applying available forms of Zn fertilizer to soils at levels in excess of those required for optimum plant growth.

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  1. Ross M. Welch
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, School of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia

    A. D. Robson

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Welch, R.M. (1993). Zinc Concentrations and Forms in Plants for Humans and Animals. In: Robson, A.D. (eds) Zinc in Soils and Plants. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 55. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0878-2_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0878-2_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4380-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0878-2

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