Iron as fortificant The selection of iron type as fortificant in chocolate filled milk powder

C. Iron as fortificant

1. Iron type Two iron forms that are commonly used in food fortification are ferrous Fe 2+ and ferric Fe 3+ . Because both of these species contain unfilled d orbitals, they readily form complexes with electron-rich components yielding species that influence taste and bioavailability. Also, iron has the ability to undergo oxidation- reduction redox reactions that cause many of unwanted outcomes related to taste, appearance, and bioavability Mehansho 2006. 2. Iron bioavailability and solubility Currently, there are numbers of iron sources available as food fortificants. Based on bioavailability, these iron fortificants are classified into 2 groups. The highly bioavailable iron sources e.g., ferrous sulphate and ferrous fumarate, which are soluble in neutral andor acidic aqueous environments but may cause organoleptic changes such as poor product acceptability and shortened product shelf life, and those with poor bioavailability e.g., iron pyrophosphate and reduced iron, which are less soluble in water but are more compatible with the foods used as vehicle Mehansho 2006. Table 8 Relative biological value and solubility of various irons Iron compound Relative Biological Value RBV Solubility g100ml water Ferrous Sulphate 100 25.6 Ferrous Fumarate 95 0.63 Ferric Pyrophosphate 45 Insoluble Source : Lynch and Hurrell 1990 Wikipedia 2009 From Table 8, eventough ferrous sulphate has excellent bioavailability but this iron has soluble in aqueous solution water and may affect the taste and appearance of the finally consumed product. An iron characteristic with acceptable bioavailability but less soluble in milk solution, that is ideal for particular fortification, seems to be offered by ferrous fumarate. Nevertheless Ferric pyrophosphate which has the least solubility is worth to be evaluated in respect to the effect of taste and appearance of the finally consumed product. 3. Iron price indication Based on landed prices, the price index of three subject iron that use for this research is Iron Ferrous Sulphate, with price index 100 ; Iron Ferrous Fumarate, with price index 167 ; Iron Ferric Pyrophosphate, with price index 133. From above price index comparison, it shows that Iron sulphate is the most economical iron fortificant. However the iron dosage in chocolate filled milk powder should not more than 0.1 in dry matter, the cost in use of iron in final product, amongst above iron type, might not be significant different.

D. Ingredient interaction between iron and some ingredients in chocolate filled milk powder