Messi Biology stated that magnesium is an indispensable constant element for the growth and metabolism of animals and plants and human physiological activities. Traditional inorganic magnesium compounds have problems such as poor absorption, weak stability, and susceptibility to environmental interference. Chelated magnesium has become an ideal magnesium source due to its efficient utilization advantages. Magnesium oxide is the core raw material for the preparation of chelated magnesium and plays a key role in agriculture, food, medicine and other fields.
Chelated magnesium is a stable cyclic complex formed by magnesium ions and chelating agents such as amino acids, organic acids, or EDTA. These chelating agents act as “molecular claws” to encapsulate the magnesium ions, significantly enhancing their solubility, resistance to interference, and bioavailability. As an inorganic magnesium source, magnesium oxide is the preferred raw material for the industrial production of chelated magnesium due to its high magnesium content, wide availability, low cost, and moderate chemical activity. It not only provides a stable supply of magnesium ions but also adapts well to various chelation processes.
In the preparation process of chelated magnesium, the role of magnesium oxide is irreplaceable. Under mild conditions, it first reacts with water or acids to dissociate into pure magnesium ions, providing ample substrate for the chelation reaction. Its alkaline nature allows for the precise regulation of the reaction system’s pH value, creating the optimal environment for the binding of chelating agents and magnesium ions, which improves the chelation rate and product purity. Compared to raw materials like magnesium chloride or magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide leaves no residual impurity ions, resulting in a purer chelated magnesium product suitable for high-standard scenarios in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The agricultural sector is a primary application for MgO-based chelated magnesium. Traditional magnesium fertilizers are easily fixed by soil, with an absorption rate of only 15%–25%. However, EDTA-chelated magnesium and amino acid-chelated magnesium produced from magnesium oxide can avoid soil ion antagonism and remain stable in both acidic and alkaline soils, reaching absorption rates of 60%–80%. Once absorbed by crops, it quickly participates in photosynthesis, resolves leaf yellowing (chlorosis), and promotes the accumulation of sugar and starch, thereby increasing yield and quality. It is a premium magnesium fertilizer material for cash crops and facility agriculture.
In the food and pharmaceutical industries, MgO-derived chelated magnesium offers significant advantages. With controllable purity, products such as magnesium glycinate and magnesium lactate meet food additive safety standards and can be used as nutritional fortifiers in formula milk and health supplements. Compared to the direct ingestion of magnesium oxide, these chelated forms cause minimal gastrointestinal irritation and increase human absorption rates by 2 to 3 times. They are highly effective for supplementing magnesium and regulating nerve and muscle functions, making them ideal for individuals with sensitive stomachs and the elderly.
In industrial production, the adaptability of magnesium oxide further expands the uses of chelated magnesium. It can react with chelating agents like sugar alcohols and acetylacetone to produce specialized chelated magnesium products for textile auxiliaries, metal corrosion protection, and water treatment. The stable chelated structure allows for a slow release of magnesium ions, extending the effective duration and reducing resource waste, which aligns with the requirements of green industrial development.
Conclusion
In summary, magnesium oxide is the foundational core material of the chelated magnesium industry. With its low cost, high activity, and high purity, it supports the efficient preparation and multifaceted application of chelated magnesium. From the field to the table, and from industrial production to health maintenance, magnesium oxide—through chelation technology—enables magnesium to serve production and daily life more efficiently and safely. It acts as a vital bridge connecting inorganic raw materials to organic applications, driving the utilization of magnesium resources toward a high-efficiency and high-precision stage.