Iron and zinc bioavailability in Caco-2 cells: Influence of caseinophosphopeptides

A study has been made of the influence of two pools of caseinophosphopeptides (CPPs) obtained from αs- and β-casein (CN) fractions, and of three specific CPPs (β-CN(1–25)4P, αs1-CN(64–74)4P and αs2-CN(1–19)4P), on iron bioavailability (ferritin synthesis) and zinc bioavailability (retention, transport and uptake of zinc) in Caco-2 cells. and β-CPP pools did not improve ferritin synthesis, but the three specific CPPs showed an increase in ferritin synthesis in Caco-2 cells versus iron sulphate, β-CN(1–25)4P being the most effective. In relation to zinc bioavailability, α-CPPs, β-CPPs, αs1-CN(64–74)4P and β-CN(1–25)4P increased zinc uptake. However, this increase was of the same order as the increase due to the presence of zinc sulphate.