The present invention provides a process for extracting minerals from mineral-rich
oysters and furthermore provides an oyster extract containing the minerals, and
taurine, glycogen, and nucleotides. First, raw oysters are subjected to hot water
extraction to obtain soluble ingredients and to remove unwanted components, and
then the residue is extracted with an acid solution of pH 2 to 4. The extract is
neutralized with an alkali to obtain a precipitate having a high content of minerals
such as zinc. The oyster extract obtained by this process contains zinc in the
amount of 6% to 13% by dry weight.