What is Ferrous Gluconate?
Ferrous Gluconate is a compound commonly used for iron supplementation in food, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals. It is synthesized by reacting gluconic acid with ferrous ions, providing a highly bioavailable form of iron that effectively treats iron deficiency anemia. Its chemical formula is C12H22FeO14.
Preparation Method: Ferrous Gluconate is typically prepared by reacting ferrous salts (such as ferrous sulfate) with gluconic acid under acidic conditions. This reaction results in the formation of Ferrous Gluconate, which is highly soluble and easily absorbed by the body. Ferrous Gluconate is widely used in food additives, nutritional supplements, and medicines to provide essential iron to the body.
Related parameters:
| Item | Standard |
| Assaylcalcd on the dried basis | 97.0%-102.0% |
| Loss on drying | 6.5%-10.0% |
| PH(@20 deng c) | 4.0-5.5 |
| Mercury | ≤3ppm |
| Lead | ≤10ppm |
| Fe | ≤2.0% |
| Reducing substances | NO red precipitate |
| Organic Volatile lmpurities | Meets the requirements |
| Oxalic acid | Negative |
| Chloride | ≤0.07% |
| Sulphates | ≤0.1% |
| Arsenic | ≤3ppm |
| Total plate count | ≤1000cfu/g |
| Yeast&Mold | ≤100cfu/g |
| E.Coli | Absent |
| Salmonella species | Absent |
Recommended dosage:
| Applications | Dosage |
| Fortified Cereals | 10–20 mg/kg |
| Beverages (e.g., fruit juices) | 50–100 mg/kg |
| Energy Bars and Snacks | 50–100 mg/kg |
| Infant Formula | 10–20 mg/kg |
| Baked Goods (e.g., bread, muffins) | 10–20 mg/kg |
| Dairy Products (e.g., milk, yogurt) | 50–80 mg/kg |
| Dietary Supplements (Tablets or Powder) | 250–500 mg/kg |
Ferrous Gluconate has a wide range of uses
Food Fortification:
It is commonly added to fortified cereals, beverages (such as fruit juices), and energy bars to help combat iron deficiency.
Infant Formula:
Ferrous Gluconate is included in infant formulas to ensure adequate iron intake for babies.
Baked Goods:
It is incorporated into products like bread and muffins to support iron nutrition.
Dairy Products:
Ferrous Gluconate is used to fortify milk and yogurt, especially for children and adults with higher iron needs.
Dietary Supplements:
It is commonly used as a primary ingredient in tablets and powder supplements designed to address iron deficiency anemia.
Animal Feed:
Ferrous Gluconate is added to livestock feed to address iron deficiencies, promoting healthy growth and productivity.
User asked question:
Q: How do ferrous sulfate and ferrous gluconate differ?
A: The main difference lies in the iron content. Ferrous sulfate contains the highest concentration of iron, followed by ferrous fumarate, while ferrous gluconate has the lowest iron content. When prescribed, the dosage is usually indicated by the amount of elemental iron or the percentage of iron present in the compound. As a result, ferrous gluconate may require higher dosages to achieve the same therapeutic effect as ferrous sulfate.
