Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Ben-Gurion U. research leads to improved calcium supplement derived from crustacean shells

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Credit: Marganit Capaso/Amorphical

Abstract:
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers have developed a unique technology that stabilizes an otherwise unstable form of calcium carbonate. This mineral form provides significantly higher biological absorption and retention rates than other sources presently used as dietary calcium supplements.

Ben-Gurion U. research leads to improved calcium supplement derived from crustacean shells

Beer-sheva, Israel | Posted on February 20th, 2011

Calcium is considered to be one of the most important minerals in the human body for maintaining bone mass and coronary health. Insufficient dietary calcium intake can induce osteoporosis and poor blood-clotting.

"Since most adults today achieve their daily dietary intake of calcium with supplements, this new form will prove to be substantially more beneficial," according to Dr. Amir Berman, a researcher and a member of the BGU Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology.

According to the new study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, this type of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC) consists of unstable, nano-sized particles. Several species of crustaceans, including freshwater crayfish, are capable of stabilizing this mineral form so they can efficiently store and rapidly re-use large calcium quantities. Using new technology inspired by the crustaceans' natural process, the BGU researchers tested this synthetic ACC compound against other commonly used calcium supplements.

Results of experiments performed on laboratory animals showed that the absorption and retention rates were up to 40 percent higher in the blood and 30 percent higher in bone when the ACC compound is compared to other calcium sources. Such dramatic enhancement in absorption may be useful in reducing the necessary dosage of calcium, lowering side effects and increasing a patient's compliance.

This research was supported by a grant from Amorphical, Ltd., through B.G. Negev, Ltd. Amorphical Ltd. (www.amorphical.com) will be introducing a dietary supplement utilizing the ACC compound in 2011.

Solubility and Bioavailability of Stabilized Amorphous Calcium Carbonate

Oren E Meiron,1,5 Elad Bar-David,1,5 Eliahu D Aflalo,1,3 Assaf Shechter,5 David Stepensky,4 Amir Berman,2,3 and Amir Sagi 1,3 J. Bone and Mineral Res. 26(2) 364-372 URL: DOI 10.1002/jbmr.196

1 Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
2 Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
3 National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev (NIBN), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
4 Department of Pharmacology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
5 Amorphical, Ltd., Beer Sheva, Israel

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About American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision, creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. With some 20,000 students on campuses in Beer-Sheva, Sede Boqer and Eilat in Israel's southern desert, BGU is a university with a conscience, where the highest academic standards are integrated with community involvement, committed to sustainable development of the Negev. AABGU is headquartered in Manhattan and has nine regional offices throughout the U.S.

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