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Zinc Methionine Sulfate: What It Is and Why It Matters

Understanding Zinc Methionine Sulfate

Zinc Methionine Sulfate is a chemical compound that brings together zinc, methionine, and sulfate to create a unique mineral complex. This product combines the essential trace element zinc with methionine, an amino acid, forming an organic-mineral blend often relied on in industries focusing on animal nutrition, food processing, and chemical research. Physical forms show variety—from white to off-white crystals, granular powders, solid chunks, even pearls—each tailored for different handling, storage, or production needs. Its solubility in water increases its usefulness across various sectors, especially where biological uptake or chemical reactions require effective dispersion and mixing. The CAS number and HS Code streamline international trade; molecular formula C5H14N2O6S2Zn underlines the blend of organic and inorganic elements in a fixed ratio.

Physical Properties and Structure

Looking close at the substance, Zinc Methionine Sulfate usually appears as a white to off-white crystalline or microcrystalline powder, with a subtle sulfur-like odor given its methionine content. Its crystal structure, confirmed by laboratory techniques such as X-ray diffraction, shows zinc ionically linked with methionine and paired with sulfate, offering high stability and reliable reactivity. Density often lands between 1.8 and 2.1 g/cm³, depending on purity and processing, which matters for dosing and solution preparation. Bulk and tapped densities hold special significance for logistics—shipping, storage, and mixing all benefit when those numbers are known in advance.

Chemical Characteristics and Molecular Formula

The molecular formula, C5H14N2O6S2Zn, gives a clear roadmap to those in laboratories or factories. Each molecule supplies one zinc atom acting as the functional center, surrounded by methionine and sulfate groups that set it apart from inorganic salts like zinc sulfate alone. This hybrid not only supports easier absorption in biological systems but also carries properties of both amino acids and minerals, influencing shelf life, reactivity, and how it behaves in aqueous solutions. The melting point often ranges between 200 and 250°C, offering considerable heat resistance, important during mixing or pelletizing steps in industrial contexts.

Specifications and Material Forms

This compound comes in several forms—powder for feeds, flakes or solid blocks for industrial or chemical uses, and crystalline granules, all standardized for zinc content (usually between 20% and 25% by mass). Grain size, bulk density, and flow characteristics impact mixing in premixes or solutions—anyone running a batch will appreciate knowing about hygroscopicity and how readily a product dissolves. Solution forms sometimes appear for liquid supplements, with specifications marking total zinc, water solubility, and pH range. Under commodity trade, the HS Code—283329—certifies the product as a double salt of inorganic chemicals, smoothing customs procedures worldwide.

Safety, Hazards, and Handling

Operators and handlers should acknowledge that Zinc Methionine Sulfate, like any concentrated mineral product, demands respect for safety. Dust can irritate respiratory passages—professional settings often use masks and gloves. Ingestion in recommended amounts supplies a vital trace mineral, but overexposure in manufacturing or storage could risk acute toxicity, especially for children or pets. Safety sheets highlight its harmful effects on aquatic life if large quantities spill unchecked into waterways—facilities should rigorously manage containment and waste handling. Shelf life, typically two years when kept dry and cool, can shorten if exposed to air or high humidity, which leads to caking or chemical breakdown. Labeling should warn of both irritant and environmental hazard risks, with instructions kept visible near handling stations.

Applications: Raw Materials and Beyond

Most Zinc Methionine Sulfate goes toward animal nutrition, where zinc deficiencies sap livestock productivity. Compared to standard zinc sulfate or oxide, the methionine attachment means animals absorb more zinc, improving feed efficiency, immune health, and reproductive capacity. The raw materials—pure zinc oxide or zinc sulfate, food-grade L-methionine, and sulfuric acid—must meet tight quality standards to avoid contaminants that could compromise food safety later down the chain. Chemical labs sometimes use it in research on mineral uptake or metal-binding in biological systems; other sectors draw on its solubility, reactivity, and relatively low toxicity for specific applications. Its unique structure, marrying organic and mineral chemistry, underlines the drive toward more effective and sustainable nutrient delivery in agriculture and food production.