Boron
Minerals
Overview
- Boron is a trace micronutrient (atomic number 5) found in the environment as elemental boron and various borate compounds.
- In humans, boron functions as a dietary mineral supporting several physiological processes, including mineral metabolism, hormone synthesis, and cellular signaling.
- Dietary boron is typically ingested through plant-based foods or supplemental borate salts.
- It is required in amounts measured in micrograms to low milligrams per day.
Chemistry
- Boron is a metalloid with atomic number 5 and atomic weight 10.81 g/mol.
- The elemental form is a black-brown, brittle, crystalline solid.
- In supplements, the most common forms are boron-citrate (C₆H₅BO₃·C₂H₅O₃)·2H₂O, boron-aspartate (C₄H₈BNO₆), and boric acid (H₃BO₃).
- Boric acid, the parent compound, has the molecular formula H₃BO₃ (IUPAC: boric acid).
- Boron’s electron configuration (1s² 2s² 2p¹) gives it three valence electrons, allowing it to act as a trivalent Lewis acid, forming tetrahedral borate (BO₄³⁻) in aqueous solution.
- The p-orbital allows boron to accept electron pairs, underpinning its ability to form stable complexes with diols, sugars, and nucleic acids.
- The small atomic radius (≈85 pm) and high charge density give boron its unique ability to modulate enzyme activity and membrane transport.
Sources & Quality
- Commercial boron is most often derived from borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate, Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O) mined in Turkey, California, and Chile.
- Boron-rich plant foods (e.g., almonds, raisins, avocados, and leafy greens) provide natural dietary sources, with average intake ≈ 1–3 mg/day in Western diets.
- Extraction: Mine ore is purified, dissolved in water, and crystallized to yield high-purity boric acid (> 99 %).
- For supplements, boron-citrate and boron-aspartate are synthesized by reacting boric acid with citric or aspartic acid under controlled pH, producing a stable, bio-available salt.
- Quality assurance involves ICP-MS testing for heavy-metal contamination (< 10 ppb) and pharmaceutical-grade (> 99 % purity) certifications.
- For the highest bioavailability, manufacturers favor micronized or chelated forms that enhance solubility and intestinal absorption.
Where to Buy Boron
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