Iron(II) gluconate, or ferrous gluconate, is a black compound often used as an iron supplement. It is the iron(II) salt of
gluconic acid. It is marketed under brand names such as ''Fergon'', ''Ferralet'' and ''Simron''.
Uses
Medical
Ferrous gluconate is effectively used in the treatment of
hypochromic anemia. The use of this compound compared with other
iron
Iron is a chemical element; it has symbol Fe () and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is, by mass, the most common element on Earth, forming much of Earth's o ...
preparations results in satisfactory
reticulocyte responses, a high percentage utilization of iron, and daily increase in
hemoglobin
Hemoglobin (haemoglobin, Hb or Hgb) is a protein containing iron that facilitates the transportation of oxygen in red blood cells. Almost all vertebrates contain hemoglobin, with the sole exception of the fish family Channichthyidae. Hemoglobin ...
that a normal level occurs in a reasonably short time.
Food additive
Ferrous gluconate is also used as a
food additive
Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance taste, appearance, or other sensory qualities. Some additives, such as vinegar ( pickling), salt ( salting), smoke ( smoking) and sugar ( crystallization), have been used f ...
when processing black
olive
The olive, botanical name ''Olea europaea'' ("European olive"), is a species of Subtropics, subtropical evergreen tree in the Family (biology), family Oleaceae. Originating in Anatolia, Asia Minor, it is abundant throughout the Mediterranean ...
s. It is represented by the food labeling
E number
E numbers, short for Europe numbers, are codes for substances used as food additives, including those found naturally in many foods, such as vitamin C, for use within the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Commonly ...
E579 in Europe. It imparts a uniform jet black color to the olives.
Toxicity
Ferrous gluconate may be
toxic in case of overdose. Children may show signs of toxicity with ingestions of 10–20 mg/kg of elemental iron. Serious toxicity may result from ingestions of more than 60 mg/kg. Iron exerts both local and systemic effects: it is corrosive to the gastrointestinal
mucosa, it can have a negative impact on the heart and blood (
dehydration, low
blood pressure
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure of Circulatory system, circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. Most of this pressure results from the heart pumping blood through the circulatory system. When used without qualification, the term ...
, fast and weak pulse,
shock), lungs, liver, gastrointestinal system (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting blood), nervous system (chills, dizziness,
coma
A coma is a deep state of prolonged unconsciousness in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to Nociception, respond normally to Pain, painful stimuli, light, or sound, lacks a normal Circadian rhythm, sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate ...
, convulsions, headache), and skin (flushing, loss of color, bluish-colored lips and fingernails).
Iron overdose
/ref> The symptoms may disappear in a few hours, but then emerge again after 1 or more days.
See also
* Acceptable daily intake
* Iron poisoning
References
{{Antianemic preparations
Color fixers
Food additives
Iron(II) compounds
E-number additives