Ferric pyrophosphate is a water-insoluble Fe compound used to fortify infant cereals and chocolate-drink powders as it causes no organoleptic changes to the food vehicle. However, it is only of low absorption in man. Recently, an innovative ferric pyrophosphate has been developed (Sunactive Fee) based on small-particle-size ferric pyrophosphate (average size 0·3 mm) mixed with emulsifiers, so that it remains in suspension in liquid products. The aim of the present studies was to compare Fe absorption of micronised, dispersible ferric pyrophosphate (Sunactive Fee) with that of ferrous sulfate in an infant cereal and a yoghurt drink. Two separate Fe absorption studies were made in adult women (ten women/study). Fe absorption was based on the erythrocyte incorporation of stable isotopes ( 57 Fe and 58 Fe) 14 d after the intake of labelled test meals of infant cereal (study 1) or yoghurt drink (study 2). Each test meal was fortified with 5 mg Fe as ferrous sulfate or micronised, dispersible ferric pyrophosphate. Results are presented as geometric means. There was no statistically significant difference between Fe absorption from micronised, dispersible ferric pyrophosphate-and ferrous sulfate-fortified infant cereal (3·4 and 4·1 % respectively; P¼ 0·24) and yoghurt drink (3·9 and 4·2 % respectively; P¼0·72). The results of the present studies show that micronised, dispersible ferric pyrophosphate is as well absorbed as ferrous sulfate in adults. The high relative Fe bioavailability of micronised, dispersible ferric pyrophosphate indicates the potential usefulness of this compound for food fortification.
Unlike commercial ferric pyrophosphate, micronized dispersible ferric pyrophosphate (MDFP: Sun-Active Fe) does not precipitate and is completely dispersible in liquid form. MDFP shows a sharp particle size distribution at a nanometer level, which is several times smaller than that of commercial ferric pyrophosphate. The bioavailability of MDFP was compared to ferric pyrophosphate, sodium ferrous citrate, and ferrous sulfate by three bioavailability tests in rats; namely the serum iron concentration curve, the hemoglobin regeneration efficiency, and Association of Official Analytical Chemists' hemoglobin repletion test. The high area under curve value, a lag in peak time, and continued high serum iron concentration by MDFP over the other iron compounds indicates a sustained release of iron in the serum iron concentration curve method. MDFP showed the highest hemoglobin regeneration efficiency among all the iron compounds tested. The relative biological value of MDFP per unit of ferrous sulfate in each bioavailability test showed a high value as compared to other iron compounds. The above results suggest that MDFP is an ideal compound with high bioavailability for iron fortification in various liquid applications.
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