Mineral Utilization in the Rat

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Abstract
Weanling rats were used in a series of growth and mineral balance experiments to study effects of dietary calcium and phytic acid on the utilization of zinc, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus in semi-purified diets. Dietary calcium decreased zinc absorption from diets containing phytic acid but did not significantly lower the amount of zinc absorbed from diets without phytic acid. Magnesium and phosphorus absorption were decreased by extra calcium, in the presence or absence of phytic acid. Dietary phytic acid lowered magnesium absorption and, in some instances, decreased the absorption of zinc. Phytic acid-phosphorus was readily utilized by the weanling rat.