The Effect of Encapsulation Material and Encapsulated Micronutrients on Iron Absorption in Iron Depleted Women Consuming Iron Fortified Bread.

Food fortification has shown to be efficacious to alleviate the burden of micronutrient deficiencies. Ensuring the bioavailability of iron and maintaining the sensory quality and stability of the fortified food and other added micronutrients remains a challenge. Soluble iron compounds cause minor organoleptic changes in foods but their bioavailability in man is rather low. Water-soluble iron compounds, such as ferrous sulphate (FeSO4), are the compounds in which the iron is most bioavailable; however, they often cause unfavorable sensory changes.

Encapsulation of iron has excellent potential for overcoming unwanted sensory changes and iodine losses in salt, while maintaining acceptable bioavailability. In the present project, we would like to investigate the iron bioavailability from a new formulation of encapsulated iron sulphate based on hyaluronic acid (HA) and a polymer from the eudragit family.