Abstract: Objective To evaluate the diet zinc(Zn)absorption rate in the urban adults of south China(Hunan and Hubei province)and to pr ovide reference data to the absorption rate of Zn in different people with various dietary patterns in China.Methods We performed human metabolism experiment by enriched stable isotope ⁶⁷Zn tracer method with ⁶⁷ZnSO₄ as tracer and rare earth elementy tterbium(Yb)as marker indicating the recovery.Ten healthy men and ten women were recruited to take 4.00 mg Zn tracer and 110 mg Yb orally once.Fecal samples were collected by fecal monitoring.The isoto peratio of ⁶⁷Zn/⁶⁶Zn was measured by inductive couple plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS),and total Zn was detected by atomic absor ption spectrometry(AA S).Results The appar ent absorption rate of Zn in men was 28.4%,while true absorption rate was 30.3%,and in women was 26.8% and 30.9% respectively.Conclusion The absorption rate of diet Zn in urban adults of south China was higher than that of Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes(DRIs)of Zn(about 25%).