Food-Derived Zinc-Chelating Peptides: Coordination Chemistry, Intestinal Transport, and Nutritional Functionality

Food-derived zinc-chelating peptides (ZCPs) have emerged as promising nutritional carriers that enhance zinc bioavailability and exert diverse biological activities. Compared with conventional zinc supplements, peptide-mediated zinc delivery systems exhibit superior gastrointestinal stability, reduced mineral precipitation, and improved intestinal transport efficiency. The present study demonstrates that ZCPs regulate zinc homeostasis through multiple mechanisms, including coordination chemistry, transporter-mediated absorption, regulation of the epithelial barrier, and interactions with the intestinal microenvironment. Beyond facilitating zinc absorption, peptide–zinc complexes exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, metabolic regulatory, and gut-protective activities through the synergistic effects of coordinated zinc ions and peptide bioactivity. Advances in spectroscopic characterization, computational modeling, and systems nutrition approaches have further expanded current understanding of peptide–zinc coordination behavior and physiological functionality. Nevertheless, current studies remain limited by insufficient clinical validation and an incomplete understanding of intestinal transport kinetics and controlled zinc release mechanisms. Overall, food-derived ZCPs demonstrate considerable potential for precision nutrition interventions and the development of next-generation functional zinc delivery systems.