Zinc is an essential metal that acts as a catalyst for enzymatic reactions.

The name "zinc" originates from the German "Zink", which could possibly be linked to the term "Zinke" meaning spike or tooth. This may be a reference to the crystalline structure of the metal.

The synthesis process takes place in different steps:

• Zinc ore. The first step is the extraction of zinc ore. The most common ores from which zinc is extracted are sphalerite (zinc blende), smithsonite, hemimorphite, and franklinite.
• Heating and oxidizing. The zinc ore is heated in the presence of oxygen to convert it into zinc oxide. During this process, the ore is crushed and then heated to temperatures above 900 degrees Celsius.
• Reduction of zinc oxide. The zinc oxide is then reduced using carbon or carbon monoxide at temperatures above 1200 degrees Celsius. The product of this reaction is elemental zinc.
• Purification. The raw zinc is then purified through various processes, including electrolysis.

What it is for and where

Medical

Zinc is a chemical element (atomic number 30) and a heavy metal that also occurs naturally in the human body and is necessary for many biological processes including the synthesis and storage of insulin (2) and plays a protective role as an anti-oxidation aid and an aid to enzymes that regulate oxygen response. It acts as an intracellular signalling agent in cell proliferation and in the stability of certain enzymes involved in proper muscle capacity.

Zinc deficiency, predominantly in low-income countries, causes increased oxidative stress and is associated with anaemia, increased DNA, protein and lipid damage (3). In particular, this deficiency must be controlled in the first 1000 days of life, from conception to the child's second birthday, as some delays in development and functioning during this period are irreversible or only partially reversible (4).

Zinc insufficiency is also associated with neuropsychiatric manifestations such as reduced learning ability and depression (5). Research over the past two decades suggests a robust body of evidence linking zinc deficiency to a multitude of neuropsychiatric conditions. Although there is only a limited amount of data regarding the efficacy of zinc as a treatment modality in psychiatric disorders, it seems quite reasonable, given the amount of data demonstrating the relevance of zinc deficiency in psychiatric disorders, to believe that zinc provides a potential therapeutic option in psychiatry (6).

As a therapy, Zinc has the ability to block the absorption of copper in Wilson's disease.

Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in many biological processes, including eye health. It is found in high concentrations in the retina and the choroid of the eye, two areas that are vital for vision. Research has shown that zinc can help protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and night blindness. Zinc also helps Vitamin A to create a pigment called melanin, which protects the eye.

Cosmetics

• Antioxidant agent. Ingredient that counteracts oxidative stress and prevents cell damage. Free radicals, pathological inflammatory processes, reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species are responsible for the ageing process and many diseases caused by oxidation.

Other uses

In industry Zinc serves, as an application, to protect metals from oxidation and rust. There are two methods: hot galvanizing, more expensive but with better results and cold galvanizing, cheaper and more like a painting.

• Molecular Formula   Zn
• Molecular Weight   65,38 g/mol
• CAS   7440-66-6
• EC number  231-175-3

References______________________________________________________________________

(1) Berg JM, Shi Y  The galvanization of biology: a growing appreciation for the roles of zinc.   Science. 1996 Feb 23; 271(5252):1081-5.

(2) Jurowski K, Szewczyk B, Nowak G, Piekoszewski W. Biological consequences of zinc deficiency in the pathomechanisms of selected diseases.  J Biol Inorg Chem. 2014; 19(7): 1069–79. pmid:24748223

(3) Eide DJ. The oxidative stress of zinc deficiency.   2011; 3(11): 1124–9. pmid:21789324

(4) Victora C.G., Adair L., Fall C., Hallal P.C., Martorell R., Richter L., Sachdev H.S., Study M.C.U. Maternal and child undernutrition 2—Maternal and child undernutrition: Consequences for adult health and human capital. Lancet. 2008;371:340–357. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61692-4.

(5) Howland J. G., Wang Y. T.  Synaptic plasticity in learning and memory: stress effects in thehippocampus.  (2008). Prog. Brain Res. 169, 145–158. 10.1016/S0079-6123(07)00008-8

(6) Petrilli MA, Kranz TM, Kleinhaus K, Joe P, Getz M, Johnson P, Chao MV, Malaspina D. The Emerging Role for Zinc in Depression and Psychosis. Front Pharmacol. 2017 Jun 30;8:414. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00414. eCollection 2017. Review.