PRODUCTION OF ZINC IN NANO FORM AND ITS EFFECT ON ZINC DEFICIENT RATS

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of nano and bulk zinc oxide on recovery of zinc deficient rats. After preparation of nano zinc oxide form by co-precipitation method. Forty-eight male albino rats weighed 50 ±5g were divided into 8 groups; (C1) as a negative control, (C2) as positive control. The other 6 groups were fed on low-zinc diet for 3 weeks as zinc deficiency period. In the recovery period, the previous groups were fed on different concentrations of zinc oxide in nano or bulk form (13.5, 27, 54 mg/ kg of diet) for 2 weeks as a recovery period. Feed intake, body weight changes, zinc serum levels, relative organ weight and histopathological examination for organs (liver, kidney and testes) were determined. The observed results showed that the optimum body weight, feed intake, zinc serum level, relative organ weight and lowest histopathological changes were for two groups of rats which fed on 27mg of zinc oxide/ kg diet in nano or bulk form. With respect to zinc oxide fortification, 48 male rats weighed 60- 70g were divided into 8 groups ;(NC) as a negative control group, (PC) as a positive control group and the other 6 groups were fed on low- zinc diet for 5 weeks as a zinc deficiency period. In the recovery period, the reminder of rats were fed on biscuits fortified with different concentrations of zinc oxide in nano or bulk form (13.5, 27, 54 mg/ kg of diet) for 4 weeks. Feed intake, body weight changes, zinc serum levels, relative organ weight and histopathological examination for organs (liver, kidney and testes) were determined. The observed results showed that the optimum body weight, feed intake, zinc serum level, relative organ weight and lowest histopathological changes were for the groups of rats which fed on biscuits fortified with two concentrations (13.5-27 mg/ kg) of zinc oxide in nano form.

Key words: zinc deficiency, nano particles, low-zinc diet, fortification, supplementation.