Iron content and bioavailability in rice

Iron deficiency is probably the most widespread micronutrient deficiency in humans. Since rice is the main staple food for more than half of the global population, improving the iron content and bioavailability in rice is a perspective and an effective way to alleviate or even solve this problem. The present paper evaluates the iron content in different cereal foods (black rice, rice, red rice, sticky rice and millet) and different rice seeds as well as in the milling products, and the iron bioavailability of different forms. The data show that the iron content in black rice is higher than in the other rice types, and in rice chaff and husk the content is still fairly high. However, the iron content in rice and fine rice, which are the people's main staple food, is fairly low. As to the bioavailability of iron, it is fairly low in vegetable foods, almost at the level of 10%. Several methods have been applied to improve iron content and bioavailability in rice seed. Apart from breeding and genetic engineering, biochemical and physical approaches have frequently been used as prospective methods to regulate iron content and bioavailability in rice grains.     

Iron content and bioavailability in rice

Iron deficiency is probably the most widespread micronutrient deficiency in humans. Since rice is the main staple food for more than half of the global population, improving the iron content and bioavailability in rice is a perspective and an effective way to alleviate or even solve this problem. The present paper evaluates the iron content in different cereal foods (black rice, rice, red rice, sticky rice and millet) and different rice seeds as well as in the milling products, and the iron bioavailability of different forms. The data show that the iron content in black rice is higher than in the other rice types, and in rice chaff and husk the content is still fairly high. However, the iron content in rice and fine rice, which are the people's main staple food, is fairly low. As to the bioavailability of iron, it is fairly low in vegetable foods, almost at the level of 10%. Several methods have been applied to improve iron content and bioavailability in rice seed. Apart from breeding and genetic engineering, biochemical and physical approaches have frequently been used as prospective methods to regulate iron content and bioavailability in rice grains.     

Microbial pretreatment of cotton stalks by submerged cultivation of Phanerochaete chrysosporium

This study used the fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, to pretreat cotton stalks with two methods, shallow stationary and agitated cultivation, at three supplemental salt concentrations. Pretreatment efficiencies were compared by evaluating lignin degradation, solid recovery and carbohydrate availability over a 14-day period. Shallow stationary cultivation with no salts gave 20.7% lignin degradation along with 76.3% solid recovery and 29.0% carbohydrate availability. The highest lignin degradation of 33.9% at a corresponding solid recovery and carbohydrate availability of 67.8% and 18.4%, respectively, was obtained through agitated cultivation with Modified NREL salts. Cultivation beyond 10 days did not significantly increase lignin degradation during 14 days of pretreatment. Manganese addition during shallow stationary and agitated cultivation resulted in higher solid recoveries of over 80% but lower lignin degradation. Although agitated cultivation resulted in better delignification, results indicate that pretreatment under submerged shallow stationary conditions provides a better balance between lignin degradation and carbohydrate availability.     

Bioavailability of zinc sources and their interaction with phytates in broilers and piglets

Zinc (Zn) is essential for swine and poultry and native Zn concentrations in feedstuffs are too low to meet their Zn requirement. Dietary Zn bioavailability is affected by phytate, phytase and Zn supplemented in organic form is considered as more bioavailable than inorganic sources. A meta-analysis using GLM procedures was processed using broiler and piglet databases to investigate, within the physiological response of Zn, (1) the bioavailability of inorganic and organic Zn sources (Analysis I); (2) the bioavailability of native and inorganic Zn dependent from dietary phytates, vegetal and supplemental phytase activity (Analysis II). Analysis I: the bioavailability of organic Zn relative to inorganic Zn sources ranged, depending on the variable, from 85 to 117 never different from 100 (P > 0.05). The coefficients of determination of the regressions were 0.91 in broilers and above 0.89 in piglets. Analysis II: in broilers, bone Zn was explained by supplemental Zn (linear and quadratic, P < 0.001) and by supplemental phytase (linear, P < 0.001). In piglets, the interaction between dietary Zn and phytates/phytases was investigated by means of a new variable combining dietary phytic phosphorus (PP) and phytase activity. This new variable represents the remaining dietary PP after its hydrolysis in the digestive tract, mainly due to phytase and is called non-hydrolyzed phytic phosphorus (PP_NH). Bone Zn was increased with native Zn (P < 0.001), but to a lower extent in high PP or low phytase diets (ZN_N × PP_NH, P < 0.001). In contrast, the increase in bone zinc in response to supplemental Zn (P < 0.001) was not modulated by PP_NH (P > 0.05). The coefficients of determination of the regressions were 0.92 in broilers and above 0.92 in piglets. The results from the two meta-analyses suggest that (1) broilers and piglets use supplemented Zn, independent from Zn source; (2) broiler use native Zn and the use is slightly enhanced with supplemental phytase; (3) however, piglets are limited in the use of native Zn because of the antagonism of non-hydrolyzed dietary phytate. This explains the higher efficacy of phytase in improving Zn availability in this specie.     

The isolation, characterization and effect of lignin isolated from steam pretreated Douglas-fir on the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose

Douglas-fir was SO₂-steam pretreated at different severities (190, 200, and 210 °C) to assess the possible negative effect of the residual and isolated lignins on the enzymatic hydrolysis of the steam pretreated substrates. When various isolated lignins were added to the Avicel hydrolysis reactions, the decrease in glucose yields ranged from 15.2% to 29.0% after 72 h. It was apparent that the better hydrolysis yields obtained at higher pretreatment severities were more a result of the greater accessibly of the cellulose rather than any specific change in the non-productive binding of the lignin to the enzymes. FTIR and ¹³C NMR characterization indicated that the lignin in the steam pretreated substrates became more condensed with increasing severity, suggesting that the cellulases were adsorbed to the lignin by hydrophobic interactions. Electrostatic interactions were also involved as the positively charged cellulase components were preferentially adsorbed to the lignins.     

Binding of mineral elements to locust bean gum influences availability in vitro

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the extent to which element binding of locust bean gum (LBG) affects the availability of calcium, iron, and zinc in the gut. Infant formula was supplemented with increasing amounts of LBG and subjected to an intraluminal digestion procedure. Element binding was measured by eliminating the complexes by twofold centrifugation. Availability of the elements was determined using a validated continuous-flow dialysis technique. Elemental content of the samples, supernatants, and dialysates was analyzed with validated atomic absorption spectrometry. LBG provided small amounts of intrinsic calcium (1.13 ± 0.02 mg/g) and trace amounts of iron (0.02 ± 0.00 mg/g) and zinc (0.01 ± 0.00 mg/g), which were strongly bound to the LBG molecule (respectively: 76.6 ± 3.3%, 83.4 ± 1.2%, 96.7 ± 6.6%). Correlation analysis, between percent element bound by LBG after centrifugation and percent trapped after dialysis, yielded significant correlation only for the data of zinc (r=0.93). For calcium and iron, no correlation could be demonstrated; however, for iron a similar trend was observed. These findings suggest that element binding of LBG has a major influence on the availability of zinc and maybe of iron. For calcium, other factors might also be involved, affecting availability.     

The bioavailability of colloidal and dissolved organic phosphorus to the alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata in relation to analytical phosphorus measurements

The speciation of phosphorus (P) in freshwater affects its bioavailability. Analytical detection methods were compared for different colloidal and dissolved organic forms of phosphorus (P) in relation to the potential P bioavailability to Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, determined with a 14 day growth response to P. Growth on these P-forms was referenced to supplies of inorganic P (P_i) as operational definition of the relative potential bioavailability. The bioavailability of ten organic P molecules ranged 1–70% of P_i while these forms were generally not detected by colorimetric method (CM, malachite green) or ion chromatography (IC). The bioavailability of P associated with Fe- and Al oxides ranged 55–85% of P_i and these forms were completely detected by CM and partially by IC. The bioavailability of total dissolved P in the environmental samples ranged 7–85% (mean 43%) of P_i. The P detected by IC underestimates bioavailable P while CM and total dissolved P (inductively coupled plasma, ICP) overestimate P bioavailability by, on average 44% (CM) or 57% (ICP) in the environmental samples. We conclude that CM is the best index among the three tested for predicting long-term availability of environmental dissolved P in which colloidal P contributes more importantly than organic P.     

Comparative study of lignins isolated from Alfa grass (Stipa tenacissima L.)

Soda lignin, dioxane lignin and milled lignin were isolated from Alfa grass (Stipatenacissima L.). The physico-chemical characterization of three different lignins: one industrial lignin precipitated from soda spent liquor and two lignin preparations isolated under laboratory conditions from Alfa grass (also know as Esparto grass) was performed. The structures of lignins were studied by three non-destructive (FT-IR, solid state ¹³C NMR and UV/visible spectroscopy) and two destructive (nitrobenzene oxidation and thermogravimetric analysis) methods. Elemental analysis and the methoxyl content determination were performed in order to determine the C₉ formulae for the studied lignins. The total antioxidant capacity of the studied lignins has been determined and compared to commercial antioxidants commonly used in thermoplastic industry.     

Iron bioavailability from fortified fluid milk and petit suisse cheese determined by the prophylactic-preventive method

In this research, we measure the iron bioavailability of micronized ferric orthophosphate when it is used to fortify low-fat fluid milk enriched with calcium and petit suisse cheese using the prophylactic-preventive method in rats. Four groups of male weaned rats received a basal diet (control diet; 6.5 ppm Fe), a reference standard diet (SO₄Fe; 18.2 ppm Fe), a basal diet using iron-fortified fluid milk as the iron source (milk diet; Fe ppm 17.9), and a basal diet using iron-fortified petit suisse cheese as the iron source (cheese diet; 18.0 ppm Fe) for 22 d. The iron bioavailability of the different sources was calculated as the ratio between the mass of iron incorporated into hemoglobin during the experiment and the total iron intake per animal. The relative biological values with regard to the reference standard (RBV%) were 61% and 69% for the milk and cheese diet, respectively. These results show that according to this method, the iron bioavailability in both fortified foods can be considered as medium bioavailability rates.     

Stabilized ferrous gluconate as iron source for food fortification

The iron bioavailability and acute oral toxicity in rats of a ferrous gluconate compound stabilized with glycine (SFG), designed for food fortification, was studied in this work by means of the prophylactic method and the Wilcoxon method, respectively. For the former studies, SFG was homogenously added to a basal diet of low iron content, reaching a final iron concentration of 20.1±2.4 mg Fe/kg diet. A reference standard diet using ferrous sulfate as an iron-fortifying source (19.0±2.1 mg Fe/kg diet) and a control diet without iron additions (9.3±1.4 mg Fe/kg diet) were prepared in the laboratory in a similar way. These diets were administered to three different groups of weaning rats during 23 d as the only type of solid nourishment. The iron bioavailability of SFG was calculated as the relationship between the mass of iron incorporated into hemoglobin during the treatment and the total iron intake per animal. This parameter resulted in 36.6±6.2% SFG, whereas a value of 35.4±8.0% was obtained for ferrous sulfate. The acute toxicological studies were performed in two groups of 70 female and 70 male Sprague-Dawley rats that were administered increasing doses of iron from SFG. The LD₅₀ values of 1775 and 1831 mg SFG/kg body wt were obtained for female and male rats, respectively, evidencing that SFG can be considered as a safe compound from a toxicological point of view.     

Poplar Lignin Decomposition by Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria

Eleven gram-negative aerobic bacteria (Pseudomonadaceae and Neisseriaceae) out of 122 soil isolates were selected for their ability to assimilate poplar dioxane lignin without a cosubstrate. Dioxane lignin and milled wood lignin degradation rates ranged between 20 and 40% of initial content after 7 days in mineral medium, as determined by a loss of absorbance at 280 nm; 10 strains could degrade in situ lignin, as evidenced by the decrease of the acetyl bromide lignin content of microtome wood sections. No degradation of wood polysaccharides was detected. Lignin biodegradation by Pseudomonas 106 was confirmed by ¹⁴CO₂ release from labeled poplar wood, although in lower yields compared with results obtained through chemical analysis based on acetyl bromide residual lignin determination.     

Dephytinisation with Intrinsic Wheat Phytase and Iron Fortification Significantly Increase Iron Absorption from Fonio (Digitaria exilis) Meals in West African Women

Low iron and high phytic acid content make fonio based meals a poor source of bioavailable iron. Phytic acid degradation in fonio porridge using whole grain cereals as phytase source and effect on iron bioavailability when added to iron fortified fonio meals were investigated. Grains, nuts and seeds collected in Mali markets were screened for phytic acid and phytase activity. We performed an iron absorption study in Beninese women (n = 16), using non-dephytinised fonio porridge (FFP) and dephytinised fonio porridge (FWFP; 75% fonio-25% wheat), each fortified with ⁵⁷Fe or ⁵⁸Fe labeled FeSO₄. Iron absorption was quantified by measuring the erythrocyte incorporation of stable iron isotopes. Phytic acid varied from 0.39 (bambara nut) to 4.26 g/100 g DM (pumpkin seed), with oilseeds values higher than grains and nuts. Phytase activity ranged from 0.17±1.61 (fonio) to 2.9±1.3 phytase unit (PU) per g (whole wheat). Phytic acid was almost completely degraded in FWFP after 60 min of incubation (pH≈5.0, 50°C). Phytate∶iron molar ratios decreased from 23.7∶1 in FFP to 2.7∶1 in FWFP. Iron fortification further reduced phytate∶iron molar ratio to 1.9∶1 in FFP and 0.3∶1 in FWFP, respectively. Geometric mean (95% CI) iron absorption significantly increased from 2.6% (0.8–7.8) in FFP to 8.3% (3.8–17.9) in FWFP (P<0.0001). Dephytinisation of fonio porridge with intrinsic wheat phytase increased fractional iron absorption 3.2 times, suggesting it could be a possible strategy to decrease PA in cereal-based porridges.     

Behavior of mercury in the Patuxent River estuary

An overview of a comprehensive study of the behavior and fate of mercury in the estuarine Patuxent River is presented. Total Hg (Hg_T) and methylmercury (MeHg) exhibited weakly non-conservative behavior in the estuary. Total Hg concentrations ranged from 6 ng L^-1 in the upper reaches of the sub-urbanized tidal freshwater river to <0.5 ng L^-1 in the mesohaline lower estuary. Filterable (0.2 µm) Hg_T ranged from 0.2 to 1.5 ng L^-1. On average, MeHg accounted for <5% of unfiltered Hg_T and <2% of filterable Hg_T. Dissolved gaseous section Hg (DGHg) concentrations were highest (up to 150 pg L^-1) in the summer in the mesohaline, but were not well correlated with primary production or chlorophyll a, demonstrating the complex nature of Hg⁰ formation and cycling in an estuarine environment. Organic matter content appeared to control the Hg_T content of sediments, while MeHg in sediments was positively correlated with Hg_T and organic matter, and negatively correlated with sulfide. MeHg in sediments was low (0.1 to 0.5% of Hg_T). Preliminary findings suggest that net MeHg production within sediments exceeds net accumulation. Although Hg_T in pore waters increased with increasing sulfide, bulk MeHg concentrations decreased. The concentration of MeHg in sediments was not related to the concentration of Hg_T in pore waters. These observations support the hypothesis that sulfide affects the speciation and therefore bioavailability of dissolved and/or solid-phase Hg for methylation. Comparison with other ecosystems, and the negative correlation between pore water sulfide and sediment MeHg, suggest that sulfide limits production and accumulation of MeHg in this system.     

Aflatoxin production in supplemental feeders provided for northern bobwhite in Texas and Oklahoma

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by varous species of fungi. Aflatoxin (AF), a particular type of mycotoxin, can negatively impact many wildlife species in the laboratory; however, the magnitude of the problem in the field environment is unclear. Wild birds generally consume a combination of native foods and agricultural grains. A common practice in which birds, such as northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), contact stored agricultural grain is through supplemental feeding. This feeding practice may promote the production of AF. The objectives of this study were to (1) examine AF production in supplemental feeders and (2) examine the relationship between weather and AF production in supplemental feeders. Samples were collected from supplemental feeders from November through February of 1996-97 and 1997-98. Mean monthly AF concentration of samples from feeders ranged from 0.57+/-2.86 to 15.47+/-14.69 ppb. Aflatoxin concentration in supplemental feeders increased from pre-sample to one month after filling the feeders each year. AF production in supplemental feeders was highly variable among months with no real temporal pattern between years. Instead, AF production was related to the highly variable relative humidity of the study area which influences moisture content of grain. Average relative humidity can be used to predict AF production.     

Nutritional chemistry of foods eaten by gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Foods eaten by gorillas (Gorilla beringei) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP), Uganda, were analyzed for their nutrient content. The goal of the study was to assess the amounts of fiber, protein, and sugars in the foods eaten by the Bwindi gorillas, and to determine whether condensed tannins and cyanide are present in these foods. A total of 127 food plant parts representing 84 plant species eaten by two groups of Bwindi gorillas were collected, processed, and analyzed for their chemical contents. The Bwindi gorilla ate foods that contain 2-28% crude protein (CP), 21-88% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 14-60% acid detergent fiber (ADF), 2-42% acid detergent lignin (ADL), and 相似文献   

Effects of freshwater bacterial siderophore on Microcystis and Anabaena

Six siderophore-producing bacterial strains were isolated from the freshwater, in which five strains belonged to Pseudomona genus, and the other belonged to Stenotrophomonas genus. The strain, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 15, which produced hydroxamate-type siderophore, was selected for siderophore preparation. Its siderophore production was inhibited by FeCl₃, especially when FeCl₃ concentration was higher than 20 μM. Effects of siderophore on cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB-905 and Anabaena flos-aquae FACHB-245 were studied. Compared to the control, almost all the treated groups showed decrease in growth rate and chlorophyll a, carotenoids, phycocyanin, soluble protein, microcystin content, which was attributed the low iron bioavailability in the culture medium. In the study, S. maltophilia 15 showed algicidal activities by secreting siderophore and could inhibit cyanobacterial growth, especially when iron bioavailabity is very low. The two cyanobacterial strains showed distinct demand for iron. It was deduced that in the freshwater the competition between bacteria and cyanobacteria existed for the low-bioavailable iron, which may relate to the replacement of dominant cyanobacteria.     

Nutrient limitation of algal periphyton in streams along an acid mine drainage gradient

Metal oxyhydroxide precipitates that form from acid mine drainage (AMD) may indirectly limit periphyton by sorbing nutrients, particularly P. We examined effects of nutrient addition on periphytic algal biomass (chl a), community structure, and carbon and nitrogen content along an AMD gradient. Nutrient diffusing substrata with treatments of +P, +NP and control were placed at seven stream sites. Conductivity and SO₄ concentration ranged over an order of magnitude among sites and were used to define the AMD gradient, as they best indicate mine discharge sources of metals that create oxyhydroxide precipitates. Aqueous total phosphorous (TP) ranged from 2 to 23 μg · L^?1 and significantly decreased with increasing SO₄. Mean chl a concentrations at sites ranged from 0.2 to 8.1 μg · cm^?2. Across all sites, algal biomass was significantly higher on +NP than control treatments (Co), and significantly increased with +NP. The degree of nutrient limitation was determined by the increase in chl a concentration on +NP relative to Co (response ratio), which ranged from 0.6 to 9.7. Response to nutrient addition significantly declined with increasing aqueous TP, and significantly increased with increasing SO₄. Thus, nutrient limitation of algal biomass increased with AMD impact, indicating metal oxyhydroxides associated with AMD likely decreased P availability. Algal species composition was significantly affected by site but not nutrient treatment. Percent carbon content of periphyton on the Co significantly increased with AMD impact and corresponded to an increase in the relative abundance of Chlorophytes. Changes in periphyton biomass and cellular nutrient content associated with nutrient limitation in AMD streams may affect higher trophic levels.     

Chemical analysis and immunolocalisation of lignin and suberin in endodermal and hypodermal/rhizodermal cell walls of developing maize (Zea mays L.) primary roots

The composition of suberin and lignin in endodermal cell walls (ECWs) and in rhizodermal/hypodermal cell walls (RHCWs) of developing primary maize (Zea mays L.) roots was analysed after depolymerisation of enzymatically isolated cell wall material. Absolute suberin amounts related to root length significantly increased from primary ECWs (Casparian strips) to secondary ECWs (suberin lamella). During further maturation of the endodermis, reaching the final tertiary developmental state characterised by the deposition of lignified secondary cell walls (u-shaped cell wall deposits), suberin amounts remained constant. Absolute amounts of lignin related to root length constantly increased throughout the change from primary to tertiary ECWs. The suberin of Casparian strips contained high amounts of carboxylic and 2-hydroxy acids, and differed substantially from the suberin of secondary and tertiary ECWs, which was dominated by high contents of ω-hydroxycarboxylic and 1,ω-dicarboxylic acids. Furthermore, the chain-length distribution of suberin monomers in primary ECWs ranged from C₁₆ to C₂₄, whereas in secondary and tertiary ECWs a shift towards higher chain lengths (C₁₆ to C₂₈) was observed. The lignin composition of Casparian strips (primary ECWs) showed a high syringyl content and was similar to lignin in secondary cell walls of the tertiary ECWs, whereas lignin in secondary ECWs contained higher amounts of p-hydroxyphenyl units. The suberin and lignin compositions of RHCWs rarely changed with increasing root age. However, compared to the suberin in ECWs, where C₁₆ and C₁₈ were the most prominent chain lengths, the suberin of RHCWs was dominated by the higher chain lengths (C₂₄ and C₂₆). The composition of RHCW lignin was similar to that of secondary-ECW lignin. Using lignin-specific antibodies, lignin epitopes were indeed found to be located in the Casparian strip. Surprisingly, the mature suberin layers of tertiary ECWs contained comparable amounts of lignin-like epitopes. Received: 19 August 1998 / Accepted: 3 February 1999     

Pectin Esterification Degree in the Bioavailability of Non-heme Iron in Women

Pectins are a type of soluble fiber present in natural and processed foods. Evidence regarding the effect of esterification degree of pectins on iron absorption in humans is scarce. In the present study, the effect of pectins with different degrees of esterification on non-heme iron absorption in women was evaluated. A controlled experimental study was conducted with block design, involving 13 apparently healthy, adult women. Each subject received 5 mg Fe (FeSO₄) without pectin (control) or accompanied by 5 g citrus pectin, two with a low degree of esterification (27 and 36%), and one with a high degree of esterification (67 to 73%), each on different days. Each day, the 5 mg Fe doses were marked with radioactive ⁵⁹Fe or ⁵⁵Fe. Radioactivity incorporated into erythrocytes was determined in blood samples 14 days after the marked Fe doses were consumed. On days 18 and 36 of study, 30 and 20 mL blood samples were obtained, respectively, and blood sample radioactivity incorporated into erythrocytes was determined. Body iron status was determined from blood taken on day 18. Whole body blood volume was estimated for calculate iron bioavailability; it was assumed that 80% of absorbed radioactivity was incorporated into the Hb. All women participants signed an informed consent of participation at baseline. Iron bioavailability (mean geometric ±1 SD) alone (control) was 18.2% (12.3–27.1%), iron + pectin27 was 17.2% (10.2–29.2%), iron + pectin36 was 15.3% (9.5–24.6%), and iron + pectin67 was 19.5% (10.0–38.0%). No statistically significant differences between iron bioavailability (repeated measures ANOVA, p = 0.22) were observed. Pectin esterification degree does not influence the bioavailability of non-heme iron in women.     

Bioavailability studies of a new iron source by means of the prophylactic-preventive method in rats

The bioavailability of iron from a new commercial source containing ferric gluconate stabilized with glycine sold under the trade name Bioferrico™ was studied in this work by means of the prophylactic-preventive test in rats. NaFeEDTA was also studied by the same methodology for comparative purposes and ferrous sulfate was used as the reference standard. The test was conducted for 4 wk with male weaned rats, which were randomized into four groups of at least eight animals each. A control group received a basal diet of low-iron content, whereas the other groups received the same diet with iron added at a dose of 20 mg/kg as FeSO₄·7H₂O, NaFeEDTA, and Bioferrico, respectively. Individual hemoglobin concentrations (HbC) and weights were determined at the beginning and at the end of the study and food intake was daily registered. The iron bioavailability (BioFe) of each source was calculated as the ratio between the amount of iron incorporated into hemoglobin during the treatment (HbFe) and the total iron intake per animal (ToFeIn). A relative biological value (RBV) was obtained for each iron source under study as the ratio between the BioFe of the tested compound and that of the reference standard. The RBVs were 98% and 86% for Bioferrico and NaFeEDTA, respectively. Bioferrico showed a high bioavailability and behaved inertly in relation to the sensorial properties of the fortified food when it was added to flour. These qualities emphasize Bioferrico as a promising source for iron fortification.