Lignin Effect on Calcium Absorption in Rats

The effect of lignin on calcium absorption was studied in a rat model. Lignin preparations were isolated directly from wheat bran and from kale by two treatments, enzymatic and acidic. Calcium absorption in the presence or absence of isolated wheat bran lignin, isolated kale lignin, commercially available pine lignin, and wheat bran was determined by femur uptake of 45Ca. The fractional calcium absorption of wheat bran was significantly lower than for the control. However, there were no differences in calcium absorption between the various lignin sources and the control without lignin. Thus, lignin is probably not inhibitory to calcium absorption in plant foods.