Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 March 2007
1. Soya-bean proteins were used to replace 30 and 50% of the protein from 59Fe-labelled pigeon (Columbn L.) and chicken meat, and the solubility of the meat 59Fe in vitro and its absorption in vivo in rats in the presence and absence of soya-bean proteins were measured.
2. Replacement of part of the chicken meat by soya-bean proteins reduced 59Fe solubility from chicken meat at all stages during simulated in vitro digestion.
3. 59Fe absorption from 59Fe-labelled chicken meat when given to both Fe-replete and Fe-deficient rats was reduced in the presence of soya-bean proteins but was unaffected by the presence of casein or bovine serum albumin. 59Fe-absorption from pigeon meat in the presence of soya-bean proteins was not reduced to the same extent as that from chicken meat.
4. There was no significant effect of soya-bean proteins on 59Fe-labelled haemoglobin Fe absorption in vivo in Fe-replete rats.
5. Absorption of 59Fe from the isolated haemoproteins from chicken meat was unaffected by soya-bean proteins but 59Fe absorption from the main non-haem-Fe fractions was strongly inhibited, particularly from haemosiderin.