Copper
Minerals
Overview
- Copper (Cu) is an essential trace mineral.
- It serves as a catalytic co-factor for over 30 enzymes.
- These enzymes are involved in:
- Energy production
- Antioxidant defense
- Connective-tissue formation
- In physiological concentrations, copper supports:
- Redox balance
- Iron metabolism
- Neuronal signaling
- It is indispensable for:
- Normal growth
- Immune competence
- Metabolic homeostasis
Chemistry
- Copper is a transition metal with atomic number 29 and electron configuration [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹.
- Its elemental form is Cu⁰, but biologically active species are Cu⁺ (cuprous) and Cu²⁺ (cupric).
- In supplements, copper is usually present as a salt (e.g., CuSO₄·5H₂O, CuC₆H₁₁O₇·H₂O) or chelate (e.g., Cu-bisglycinate).
- The IUPAC name for copper(II) ion is “copper(II)”.
- Copper has a high electrical conductivity (5.96 × 10⁷ S m⁻¹) and a melting point of 1085 °C.
- Its standard oxidation potentials (Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ = +0.16 V; Cu⁺/Cu⁰ = +0.52 V) enable its role as an electron carrier.
- Copper forms coordination complexes with nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen ligands, essential for enzyme binding.
Sources & Quality
- Commercial copper is obtained primarily from the sulfide ore chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) or oxide deposits (e.g., malachite Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂).
- Mining is followed by pyrometallurgical smelting, producing copper metal.
- Copper metal is subsequently refined by electro-refining to >99.99 % purity.
- For supplements, copper is typically obtained as:
- High-purity copper sulfate (derived from sulfuric acid leaching of ore)
- Through aqueous reaction of copper metal with organic acids (e.g., gluconic acid) to form copper gluconate.
- Chelated forms (copper bisglycinate) are produced by reacting copper salts with amino-acid ligands under controlled pH.
- Quality considerations include:
- Residual heavy metals
- Sulfate content
- Bio-availability
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification and third-party testing (e.g., USP, NSF) ensure:
- Consistent elemental copper content
- Low contaminants
Where to Buy Copper
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