Abstract: Objective: To explore the promoting effect of egg white peptide binding with calcium (EWP-Ca) on calcium absorption in vivo. Methods: Totally 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, calcium-deficient model group, CaCO3 group and EWP-Ca groups at low, medium and high doses. Calcium-deficient model rats were fed a low-Ca diet, and calcium absorption-related indices were determined after a feeding period of 30 days. Results: EWP-Ca at high dose (106.4 mg/(kg ·d)) could significantly increase femur diameter, dry weight, calcium content and bone mineral density (P＜0.01) and could significantly decrease the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) (P＜ 0.01) when compared with calcium-deficient model control group. Moreover, compared with CaCO3 group at the same calcium level, femur diameter (P＜0.01) and bone calcium content (P＜0.05) were significantly increased. Conclusion: EWP-Ca can promote calcium absorption in vivo, which is better than CaCO3 at the same calcium level.

Key words: egg white peptide, egg white peptide binding with calcium (EWP-Ca), calcium absorption-promoting effect, calcium supplement