Zinc is an essential mineral that our body requires in small amounts, yet it plays many crucial roles. It protects cells from oxidative stress and supports the proper functioning of the immune system. It is also important for the normal growth and development of the organism. When the intake of zinc-rich food is insufficient, zinc dietary supplements can serve as a solution for achieving adequate intake; however, they are not a substitute for a balanced diet. In this thesis, I decided to analyze dietary supplements that differed in their zinc source and formulation (effervescent tablets, tablets and capsules).
Samples of zinc-containing dietary supplements were analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction, a method frequently used for the characterization of crystalline substances. It is based on the diffraction of X-rays through crystals, yielding a powder pattern or diffractogram, which allows for the identification of crystalline phases in the sample by comparing them with standard diffractograms from a database. Qualitative analysis was performed using Crystallographica Search-Match and X'Pert HighScore Plus software.
For the purpose of this thesis, I analyzed the samples, identified their crystalline phases, and compared them with the declared composition on the packaging. For most samples, several unexplained diffraction peaks remained, belonging to a crystalline substance present in a minor quantity. The results of the performed analyses mostly matched the declarations on the samples.
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