Comparative bioavailability of elemental iron powders for repair of iron deficiency anemia in rats. Studies of efficacy and toxicity of carbonyl iron1,2

Abstract

The rate of hemoglobin repletion in iron-deficient rats was used to measure the bioavailability of several elemental iron powders added to an iron-free nutritionally balanced chow. We used ferrous sulfate as a standard, highly bioavailable control. Of the several powders, carbonyl iron demonstrated the highest bioavailability. Testing elemental iron powders in human diets seems appropriate.

The Usefulness of Elemental Iron for Cereal Flour Fortification: a Sustain Task Force Report

“…47 The data on solubility and particle size, as well as the rat studies, had suggested carbonyl iron was at least as good as, if not better than, reduced iron and electrolytic iron. 47 The carbonyl iron irradiated by Hallberg et al 28 was subsequently reported to have an RBV value in rats of 35.…”

“…47 The data on solubility and particle size, as well as the rat studies, had suggested carbonyl iron was at least as good as, if not better than, reduced iron and electrolytic iron. 47 The carbonyl iron irradiated by Hallberg et al 28 was subsequently reported to have an RBV value in rats of 35. 53 One might be tempted to suggest that the irradiation and storage of the commercial carbonyl iron powder may have changed its properties, but its solubility in dilute HCl at pH 1 and pH 3 was unchanged and similar to that of a commercial electrolytic iron powder (Glidden A-131).…”

Efficiency of Carbonyl Iron in Prevention of Anaemia in Piglets

“…Another possibility for oral iron administration represents elemental uncharged iron. The elemental iron preparation known as carbonyl iron powder has been developed (Sacks and Houchin 1978). "Carbonyl" does not refer to the composition of the iron particles but rather to the manufacturing process in which the controlled heating of vaporized iron pentacarbonyl leads to deposition of uncharged, elemental iron as submicroscopic crystals that form miscroscopic spheres of less than 5 µm in diameter.…”

“…"Carbonyl" does not refer to the composition of the iron particles but rather to the manufacturing process in which the controlled heating of vaporized iron pentacarbonyl leads to deposition of uncharged, elemental iron as submicroscopic crystals that form miscroscopic spheres of less than 5 µm in diameter. The preparation is more than 98% pure (Sacks and Houchin 1978;Gordeuk et al 1986). Carbonyl iron has been shown to be absorbed and utilized for haemoglobin synthesis both in experimental animals and in humans (Sacks and Houchin 1978;Gordeuk et al 1987).…”

“…The preparation is more than 98% pure (Sacks and Houchin 1978;Gordeuk et al 1986). Carbonyl iron has been shown to be absorbed and utilized for haemoglobin synthesis both in experimental animals and in humans (Sacks and Houchin 1978;Gordeuk et al 1987). Carbonyl iron has been used for iron supplementation after blood transfusions (Gordeuk et al 1990;Bianco et al 2002).…”