Chemical Properties
Ferrous Gluconate is a yellow-gray or light green-yellow fine powder or granules with a slightly caramel-like smell. Soluble in water (10g/100mg warm water), almost insoluble in ethanol. The 5% aqueous solution is acidic to litmus, and the aqueous solution can be stabilized by adding glucose.
Uses
Ferrous Gluconate is a nutrient and dietary supplement that is a
source of iron and a coloring adjunct. it is a yellowish gray to pale
greenish yellow powder or granules with a burnt sugar odor. it has a
solubility of 1 g in approximately 10 ml of water with slight heating.
it is used by the pharmaceutical industry as an iron supplement in
vitamin pills. it is used by olive growers to darken the olives to a
uniform black color. it can function as an iron fortifier in corn and
soy products, breakfast cereals, beverages, and dietary foods.
Preparation
Ferrous gluconate is prepared from barium gluconate and iron sulfate.
Biological Functions
Ferrous Gluconate is a form of mineral iron for oral administration, Ferrous Gluconate is absorbed in the stomach and small intestine and combines with apoferritin to form ferritin, which is stored in the liver, spleen, red bone marrow, and intestinal mucosa. Important in transport of oxygen by hemoglobin to the tissues, iron is also found in myoglobin, transferrin, and ferritin, and is as a component of many enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, and cytochromes. (NCI04)
General Description
Ferrous Gluconate is an iron mineral salt used in iron and multivitamin supplements. It is used to treat or prevent iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body).
Flammability and Explosibility
Non flammable
Safety Profile
Poison by
intraperitoneal and intravenous routes.
Moderately toxic by ingestion. Human
systemic effects by ingestion: hypermothty,
diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Experimental reproductive effects.
Questionable carcinogen with experimental
tumorigenic data. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and
irritating fumes.
Drug interactions
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Antibacterials: reduced absorption of 4-quinolones
and tetracyclines.
Dimercaprol: avoid concomitant use.
Mycophenolate: may significantly reduce absorption
of mycophenolate.
Metabolism
Following absorption, the majority of iron is bound to
transferrin and transported to the bone marrow where
it is incorporated into haemoglobin. The remainder is
stored within ferritin or haemosiderin or is incorporated
into myoglobin with smaller amounts occurring in haemcontaining enzymes or in plasma bound to transferrin.
Only very small amounts are excreted as the body
reabsorbs the iron after the haemoglobin has broken
down.
