Ferrous lactate (iron (II) lactate, C6H10FeO6), in the trihydrate form is a greenish-white powder or crystalline mass having a characteristic odor. The levo-enantiomer occurs as the dihydrate and the racemic mixture occurs as the trihydrate. It is prepared by reacting calcium lactate or sodium lactate with ferrous sulfate or by direct reaction of lactic acid with iron filings. It is sparingly soluble inwater and practically insoluble in ethanol. A 1 in 50 solution has a pH between 5 and 6.
Greenish-white crystals; slight peculiar
odor. Soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol. Deliquescent, affected by light. Combustible.
Ferrous Lactate may be used as a pharmaceutical reference standard for the determination of the analyte in pharmaceutical formulations by near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.
Ferrous lactate which functions to enrich and fortify. It is of neutral color and flavor, and is soluble. It is used in acid foods below a pH of 4.5, where there is less susceptibility to oxidation and conversion to the ferric form, which results in discoloration. In higher pH foods, the instability can be prevented by complexing with ligands which prevent browning discoloration. It is used in fortification of drinks and juices.
Iron(II) Lactate is used in the iron fortification of food products, particularly milk products targeted for infants and toddlers.
Pharmaceutical secondary standards for application in quality control provide pharma laboratories and manufacturers with a convenient and cost-effective alternative to the preparation of in-house working standards
