About Ligands

The definition of a chelate does not specify ligand type or size. This is a very important fact to remember. There are a host of molecules that can serve as a ligand. Some possible ligands are so bad for the environment they are controlled by strict regulation (see EDTA at the end of this article). Others are so large they must be broken apart in order to be absorbed. If the ligand must be broken apart to be absorbed, it is not much better than an inorganic mineral. The ligand type will also give the resulting chelate different properties. Ligand choice is a differentiating feature of chelated mineral products. See illustration below of different types of lignands.

Here is a short list of ligand options:

Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic acid (EDTA)
Desferrioxamine
1,10-Phenanthroline
2,2'-Bipyridine
Dimercaprol
2,3-Dimercapto-1-Propanesulfonic Acid (DMPS)
Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (DMSA)
Nitrilotriacetate (NTA)
Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine
Glycine Amino Acid