Abstract: A method for alleviating stress and/or stress related symptoms in humans and other warm-blooded animals particularly when such symptoms are complicated by intestinal malabsorption of minerals is disclosed. Chromium and, optionally, one or more other minerals selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, manganese, iron and selenium are provided in the form of amino acid chelates having a ligand to mineral ratio of at least 1:1, a molecular weight of no more than 1500 and a stability constant of between about 10.sup.6 and 10.sup.16 and administered orally. They are absorbed from a portion of the intestinal tract other than that utilized for the absorption of cations. The method is particularly adapted to reducing and/or controlling levels of serum cortisol in humans or other animals. The presence of symptoms of stress may first be confirmed or the compositions may be administered as a prophylactic.

Abstract: Mineral absorption is promoted in warm-blooded animals by means of a class of 1,2-disubstituted aromatic mineral chelates wherein the 1 and 2 substituents each donates a pair of electrons to a metal ion for formation of a five-member chelate ring. 2-Alkoxyphenols are particularly preferred. The chelates contain from one to three alkoxyphenol ligands, with two ligands being preferred. A preferred alkoxyphenol is vanillin, and the minerals are selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Mo, and Se. Vanillin metal chelates have a slight to neutral taste, and are absorbed more readily than inorganic mineral salts.

Abstract: Vitamin and mineral absorption in warm-blooded animals is promoted by means of a class of vitamin chelates where at least one of the bonds between the metal ion and the vitamin ligand is formed between the ion and an electron rich .pi.-cloud of an aromatic ring of the water soluble vitamin. The chelate, containing a total of from one to three ligands, may contain from one up to three vitamin ligands which form a .pi.-bond with the mineral and, when present, one or two amino acid, dipeptide or tripeptide ligands. The mineral is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn and Ca. The water soluble vitamin ligand is preferably a residue of nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, thiamine, riboflavin and folic acid. The amino acid may be any of the naturally occurring .alpha.-amino acids such as glycine. The .pi.-bond vitamin chelates are absorbed more readily from both the gastric and intestinal areas of the GI tract than vitamins or minerals administered separately or as mixtures.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the immune system of a warm-blooded animal afflicted with a form of antigenic morbidity exacerbated by intestinal malabsorption of minerals is disclosed. Minerals selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, manganese, iron and selenium are provided in the form of amino acid chelates having a ligand to mineral ratio of at least 1:1, a molecular weight of no more than 1500 and a stability constant of between about 10.sup.6 and 10.sup.16 and administered orally. They are absorbed from a portion of the intestinal tract other than that utilized for the absorption of cations. The method is particularly adapted to the maintaining of the immune system of a warm-blooded animal infected by a virus which compromises the absorption of trace minerals via the normal cationic absorption route. The presence of intestinal malabsorption in the host showing symptoms of antigenic morbidity is first confirmed.

Abstract: Amino acid chelates having a ligand to divalent metal mole ratio of at least 2:1 and having a molecular weight of not more than 1500 and preferably not more than 1000 and also having a stability constant of between about 10 and 10 are formulated for delivery to one or more specific tissue sites within a mammal. The ligand utilized in formulating the amino acid chelate is a naturally occuring amino acid or a dipeptide, tripeptide or quadrapeptide thereof. The selection of an appropriate ligand with which to form the chelate provides a product that, when entering the bloodstream of the mammal, either by mean of oral ingestion or injection, has a propensity to migrate to one or more targeted tissue sites within the mammal.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical grade amino acid chelates, free of interfering anions, are made by reacting an amino acid ligand with a metal member selected from the group consisting of elemental metals, metal oxides, metal hydroxides and metal carbonates in an aqueous environment wherein the ligand to metal mole ratio is at least 2:1 and recovering the amino acid chelate from said aqueous environment by means of spray or drum drying. The reaction may be carried out in the presence of non-interfering anions such as anions from citric acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, carbonic acid and ammonium and alkali metal salts thereof.

Abstract: A composition and method for stimulating gonadotropin hormone production and maintaining intracullar mineral balance in the reproductive organs of mammals. The composition consists of a mineral mixture containing effective amounts of manganese, iron and zinc as amino acid chelates in appropriate ratios. Preferable the composition also contains effective amounts of one or more minerals selected from the group consisting of copper, magnesium and potassium all of which are present at least in part as amino acid chelates or complexes. When magnesium and potassium are present at least some of these are present in inorganic form. Vitamins, other minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, and fillers may also be utilized.The composition is orally administered to female mammals to both induce estrus and bring about a stronger and more noticable estrus. In the male both libido and spermatogenesis are improved by the oral administration of the composition.

Abstract: Pure amino acid chelates and a method of their production are disclosed. The amino acid chelates are free of contaminating inorganic anions. The chelate consists of a metal ion comprising iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, copper, calcium and mixtures thereof. The metal ion is chelated to one or more ligands comprising alpha amino acids, protein hydrolysates, polypeptides, dipeptides, and combinations thereof. A novel process is disclosed wherein the amino acid ligand is brought into reactive contact with a divalent metal ion in an environment which is completely anion free but otherwise conducive to the interaction between the amino acid ligand and the metal ion, with the formation of an amino acid chelate in pure form or, at least, which can readily be recovered from the reactive environment in pure form.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a potassium polyphosphate fertilizer is enhanced resulting in higher intake of phosphorus and potassium into plant tissues and higher crop yields by the foliar application to growing plants of a composition comprising a blend of potassium and ammonium polyphosphates which also contains an effective amount of a protein hydrolysate.

Abstract: Non-ferrous metal proteinates or chelates of essential bivalent metals with hydrolyzed protein are rendered soluble without destroying the chelate and are more readily assimilated by plants and animals.

Abstract: Iron proteinates or chelates of iron with hydrolyzed protein which are usually insoluble are rendered soluble without destroying the chelate and are more readily assimilable by plant and animals.

Abstract: Deep fried foods such as potato chips, french fries, pork rinds, corn chips, and the like are cooked in oils containing a metal proteinate or a mixture of metal proteinates. The life of the oil is extended and rancidity is inhibited.

Abstract: Protein sources are subjected to hydrolysis by the action of specific proteases under neutral conditions and are then reacted with water soluble bivalent metal salts in an aqueous alkaline media to form metal proteinates which are then buffered thereby forming biologically acceptable metal proteinates which are protected from adverse acid or alkaline destruction.

Abstract: A combination of metal proteinates with triacontanol and one or more plant hormones selected from the group consisting of auxins, cytokinins, brassins, kinins, and gibberellins form synergistic compositions wherein plant growth is stimulated and the absorption of essential metals is significantly increased.

Abstract: A combination of (1) metal proteinates consisting of chelation products of an essential bivalent metal with at least two ligands which are protein hydrolysates consisting of polypeptides, peptides and naturally occurring amino acids and (2) a plant growth hormone consisting of auxins, cytokinins and gibberellin(s) singularly or in combination.

Abstract: A combination of a protein hydrolysate metal chelate and a sugar-metal chelate exhibit a synergistic effect on biological development in that a biological organism grows at a more rapid rate and biological tissues assimilate a substantially greater amount of essential polyvalent metals when the metals are administered in the form of an exogenically prepared composition of both hydrolyzed protein-metal and sugar-metal chelate.

Abstract: Metals are transported throughout mammalian tissues and across the placental barrier to the foeti by the use of a synergistic mixture comprising an effective dosage of a metal proteinate and at least one beta-chlorovinyl dialkyl phosphate.

Abstract: The levels of nutritionally essential metals in biological tissue are improved by administering corrective dosages of the metals found to be deficient, the metal being administered in the form of metal proteinates. General health of animals is improved by increasing the levels of metals in biological tissues through the administration of multiple metals in the form of metal proteinates.