|
Molybdenum in Biology:
Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral in human
and animal nutrition. Molybdenum can be found in several tissues in the
human body and is required by some enzymes in the catabolism of sulfur
amino acids and purines. The average adult body contains about 9 mg of
molybdenum with the highest concentrations being in the liver, kidneys,
skin and bone. Molybdenum is reasonably scarce in the Earths crust,
being only three times more abundant than gold.
Estimated Crustal
Abundance: 1.2
milligrams per kilogram
Estimated Oceanic
Abundance: 1×10-2
milligrams per liter
Molybdenum toxicity in grazing animals (ruminants)
can occur when grazing on soil abundant in molybdenum but nutritionally
deficient in copper. The excess molybdenum causes the excretion of
copper reserves, eventually leading to copper deficiency and early
death.
Molybdenum deficiency in humans is extremely rare.
Though the molybdenum content of plants can vary dependent upon the
soil in which they are grown, good sources of dietary molybdenum
include:
-
Lima beans
100g 870 mcg
-
Small white
beans 100g 450 mcg
-
Yellow split
peas 100g 250 mcg
-
Oats 100g 180
mcg
-
Green peas
100g 130 mcg
-
Chili beans
100g 110 mcg
-
Raisin bran
100g 76 mcg
-
String beans
100g 60 mcg
-
Spaghetti 100g
41 mcg
-
Macaroni 100g
38 mcg
-
Rice 100g 29
mcg
-
Bakery sweets
100g 27 mcg
-
Bread 100g 21
mcg
-
Cheese 100g 11
mcg
-
Pineapple 100g
9 mcg
-
Eggs 100g 9
mcg
-
Banana 100g 8
mcg
-
Corn 100g 8
mcg
-
Spinach 100g 7
mcg
-
Potatoes 100g
7 mcg
-
Cabbage 100g 6
mcg
-
Chicken 100g 5
mcg
-
Milk 100g 5
mcg
-
Bean sprouts
100g 5 mcg
There is no RDA for molybdenum. The estimated safe and adequate intake
is 75 to 250 mcg per day.
| Recommended
Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Molybdenum |
| Life Stage |
Age |
Males (mcg/day) |
Females (mcg/day) |
| Infants |
0-6 months |
2 (AI) |
2 (AI) |
| Infants |
7-12 months |
3 (AI) |
3 (AI) |
| Children |
1-3 years |
17 |
17 |
| Children |
4-8 years |
22 |
22 |
| Children |
9-13 years |
34 |
34 |
| Adolescents |
14-18 years |
43 |
43 |
| Adults |
19 years and older |
45 |
45 |
| Pregnancy |
all ages |
- |
50 |
| Breastfeeding |
all ages |
- |
50 |
|
