Minerals

Minerals
 The minerals form only a small portion of the total
body weight. They form only 7% of the composition
of human body.
 Many of these minerals are widely distributed in
foods so that a well-balanced diet will supply them in
sufficient quantities.
 The mineral elements present in the animal body
may be classified into 2 groups:
 1.Principal elements(macro nutrients)
 2.Trace elements(micro nutrients)

Classification of minerals
• Principle elements(Macro nutrients)
• These elements occur in living tissues in comparatively
large amounts.
• They constitute 60-80% of all the inorganic material in
the body.
• Trace elements(Micro nutrients)
• These elements occur in living tissues in small amounts.
They required in amounts greater than 100mg/day.

PHOSPHORUS
• Phosphorus is found in every cell of the human body. A
major part of this (about 80% of the total) is present in
combination with calcium in the bones and teeth.
• About 10% is combined with proteins, lipids and
carbohydrates.
• The remaining 10% is widely distributed in various
chemical compounds.

• Absorption
• Phosphate absorption occurs from jejunum
1. Calcitriol promotes phosphate uptake along with calcium.
2. Absorption of phosphorus and calcium is optimum when
the dietary ratio of Ca and P is between 1:2 and 2:1.
3. The kidney is the major pathway of excretion of the
phosphorus absorbed.
Functions
1. it is necessary for the formation of bones and teeth.
2. It is a constituent of phospholipids-lecithin and cephalin,
which are integral parts of the cell structure and also act
as intermediates in fat transport and metabolism.
3. It plays a central role for the formation and utilisation of
high energy phosphate compounds such as ATP, ADP etc.

4. They form important components of nucleic acids like DNA &
RNA.
5. Phosphate buffer system is important for the maintanence of
pH in the blood.
6. It is an esential component of several nucleotide coenzymes
e.g: NAD+, NADP+
MAGNESIUM
# The adult body contains about 20g magnesium, 70% of which
is found in bones in combination with calcium and
phosphorus.
# The remaining 30% occurs in the soft tissues and body fluids.

• Dietary requirements
• Adult man – 350 mg/day
• Adult woman – 300 mg/day
• Absorption
• Magnesium is absorbed by the intestinal cells through a
specific carrier system. About 50% of the dietary Mg is
normally absorbed.
• Consumption of large amounts of calcium, phosphate
and alcohol diminidhes Mg absorption.

1. Mg is required for the formation of bones and teeth.
2. Mg2+ serves a cofactor for several enzymes requiring ATP.
e.g: hexokinase, glucokinase, phosphofructokinase,
adenylate cyclase.
3. Mg2+ is necessary for proper neuromuscular function. Low
Mg2+ levels lead to neuromuscular irritability.
Disease states
1. Magnesium deficiency causes neuromuscular irritation,
weakness and convulsions. These symptoms are similar to
that observed in tetany.
2. Low levels of Mg may be observed in uremia, rickets and
abnormal pregnancy.

CHLORINE
• The element chlorine is present as a component of
sodium chloride. The chloride concentration in
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is higher than that in other body
fluids, including the gastrointestinal secretions.
• The source of chlorine is common salt.

• Functions
1. Chloride is involved in the regulation of acid-base
equilibrium, fluid balance and osmotic pressure. These
functions are carried out by the interaction of chloride with
Na+ and K+.
2. Chloride is necessary for the formation of Hcl in the gastric
juice.
3. Chloride shift involves the active participation of Cl-.
4. The enzyme salivary amylase is activated by chloride.

COPPER
• The body contains about 100mg copper distributed in
different organs.
• Dietary requirements
• Adults - 2-3 mg/day
• Infants and children - 0.5-2 mg/day
• Sources
• Liver, kidey, meat, egg yolk, cereals, nuts and green leafy
vegetables. Milk is a poor source.

• Absorption
• About 10% of dietary copper is absorbed, mainly in the
duodenum.
• Metallthionein is a transport protein that facilitates
copper absorption.
• Wilson disease
• It is characterised by an abnormal copper metabolism.
• Large amount of copper accumulates in the liver and
lenticular nucleus of brain. It leads of hepatic cirrhosis
and brain necrosis.
• Copper in the urine increases and leads to renal damage.

1. It is a component of certain enzymes like cytochrome
oxidase, ascorbic acid oxidase, uricase etc.
2. It is necessary for the synthesis of melanin and
phospholipids.
3. It is essential for the formation of myelin sheath in the
nerve fibres.
4. It helps in the absorption, transport and utilization of
iron.
5. Hemocyanin, a copper protein complex in
invertebrates, functions like hemoglobin for oxygen
transport.

ZINC
• The total content of zinc in an adult body is about 2g.
• Prostrate gland is very rich in zn (100 mg/g)
• The concentration of Zn in serum is about 100 mg/dl.
Erythrocytes contain higher content of Zn (1.5 mg/dl)
which is found in association with the enzyme carbonic
anhydrase.

• Functions
1. It is a component of certain enzymes like carbonic
anhydrase, alcohol dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase
etc.
2. Zinc may be regarded as an antioxidant. The enzyme
superoxide dismutase protects the body from free radical
damage.
3. The storage and secretion of insulin from beta cells of
pancreas require Zn.
4. Zn required for wount healing and enchances cell growth
and division.
5. Gusten, a zinc containing protein of the saliva, is important
for taste sensation.
6. It is essential for proper reproduction.

MANGANESE
• The total body content of manganese is about 15 mg.
The liver and kidney are rich in Mn.
• Within the cells, Mn is mainly found in the nuclei in
association with nucleic acids.
• Manganese in the serum is bound to a specific carrier
protein-transmagnanin.

Functions
1. It serve as a cofactor for several enzymes.
2. Mn is necessary for the cholestrol biosynthesis.
3. Mn inhibits lipid peroxidation.
4. It is necessary for the synthesis of
mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins.
Disease states
Mn deficiency in animals causes
1. Retarded growth, bone deformities and in
severe deficieny.
2. Accumulation of fat in liver.

Minerals

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Minerals