- Zinc EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid zinc disodium salt) is a chelating compound formed by the complexation of zinc ions (Zn²⁺) with EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), a synthetic amino acid that strongly binds metal ions through multiple coordination sites.
- It typically appears as a white, water-soluble crystalline powder or granules and is widely used as a stable, bioavailable form of zinc in agriculture, medicine, and industrial processes. The EDTA ligand forms a robust octahedral coordination complex with the zinc ion, protecting it from precipitation or inactivation by competing ions in solution.
- In agriculture, zinc EDTA is extensively used as a micronutrient fertilizer, especially in soil and foliar applications. Zinc is an essential trace element for plant growth, playing key roles in enzyme function, protein synthesis, and hormone regulation. However, in many alkaline or calcareous soils, free zinc ions readily become unavailable due to fixation by carbonates or phosphates. The EDTA chelate prevents this by keeping zinc in a soluble and plant-absorbable form, thereby correcting or preventing zinc deficiency, which manifests in symptoms like stunted growth, chlorosis, and reduced yield.
- In medicine and nutrition, zinc EDTA is used in nutraceuticals and dietary supplements as a source of zinc with enhanced gastrointestinal absorption. Chelated zinc is often better tolerated and less likely to interact with dietary components such as phytates that can inhibit zinc uptake. Additionally, zinc EDTA has been investigated in clinical chelation therapy for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning, where EDTA acts to bind and remove toxic metals like lead or cadmium, while also providing zinc to support biological functions during detoxification.
- Zinc EDTA is also important in industrial applications, including its use in cosmetics, water treatment, and analytical chemistry. In cosmetics and personal care products, it can serve as a stabilizer or preservative enhancer, binding trace metal impurities that might otherwise catalyze degradation or discoloration. In water treatment, it helps control scaling and metal contamination, especially in systems requiring controlled metal ion concentrations.
- The stability of zinc EDTA makes it resistant to degradation, but this also raises environmental concerns, particularly in aquatic ecosystems where EDTA can persist and mobilize heavy metals. Therefore, its use and discharge are subject to regulatory oversight in many regions. Proper handling and disposal are recommended to avoid ecological harm.
