Ferrous Fumarate
Nutritional Enhancers
Minerals & Trace Elements
141-01-5
C₄H₂FeO₄
$3.78 ~ $5.67
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/barrel
One unit of:25kg/barrel
25kg/barrel
Product Info
What is Ferrous Fumarate?
Ferrous Fumarate is an organic iron salt used as a dietary supplement and food fortificant to prevent or treat iron deficiency anemia due to its high iron content and excellent bioavailability.
How is Ferrous Fumarate made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reactant Preparation | Create a sodium fumarate solution by reacting fumaric acid with sodium carbonate in purified water under agitation. | Control Point: pH and temperature. Note: Ensure complete dissolution and neutralization. The reaction is exothermic and may require cooling to maintain the target temperature. |
| 2 | Reactant Preparation | Prepare an aqueous solution of ferrous sulfate in a separate reactor. | Control Point: Solution clarity and pH. Note: A slightly acidic environment is maintained to prevent the oxidation of ferrous (Fe²⁺) to ferric (Fe³⁺) iron before the main reaction. |
| 3 | Reaction & Precipitation | Slowly add the ferrous sulfate solution to the sodium fumarate solution under constant, controlled agitation. | Control Point: Rate of addition, agitation speed, and reaction temperature (e.g., 40-60°C). Note: These parameters directly influence the crystal size and purity of the resulting reddish-brown ferrous fumarate precipitate. |
| 4 | Filtration & Separation | Separate the solid ferrous fumarate precipitate from the liquid (mother liquor) using a centrifuge or filter press. | Control Point: Centrifuge speed/time or filter pressure. Note: The goal is to maximize the recovery of the solid product while removing the bulk of the soluble by-products like sodium sulfate. |
| 5 | Washing & Purification | Wash the separated solid cake with purified deionized water multiple times. | Control Point: Purity of wash water and conductivity of the effluent. Note: Washing is critical to remove residual soluble impurities. The process is complete when the effluent shows minimal conductivity, indicating impurities are below specification. |
| 6 | Drying | Dry the wet, purified cake in a vacuum dryer at a specified temperature. | Control Point: Drying temperature and final moisture content. Note: Vacuum drying at a controlled, moderate temperature (e.g., 80-100°C) is essential to prevent thermal decomposition and oxidation of the iron. The final moisture content must be within specification (e.g., <1.5%). |
| 7 | Milling & Sieving | Mill the dried product to reduce lumps and then sieve the powder to achieve the required particle size. | Control Point: Sieve mesh size and particle size distribution (PSD) analysis. Note: This step ensures product homogeneity and meets customer specifications for flowability and formulation use. |
| 8 | Quality Control & Packaging | Test the final product against specifications and package it into airtight, multi-layered bags or drums. | Control Point: Assay for iron (Fe²⁺) content, heavy metal limits, and physical properties. Note: Final QC release ensures the batch meets pharmacopeial standards (e.g., USP/FCC). Proper packaging protects the product from moisture and oxygen. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 141-01-5 |
| Chemical Formula | C₄H₂FeO₄ |
| Solubility | slightly soluble in acids; nearly insoluble in water & ethanol |
| Storage Conditions | store in cool, dry, ventilated area away from light |
| Shelf Life | 24 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
used to fortify cereals
infant formula
supplements
antioxidant and color enhancer in meat
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Ferrous Fumarate |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Nutrient Supplement; Iron Source; Color Adjunct |
| Key Ingredients | Iron (II) Fumarate (C₄H₂FeO₄) |
| Mechanism of Action | Provides bioavailable ferrous iron (Fe²⁺), which is readily absorbed in the duodenum. This iron is incorporated into hemoglobin for oxygen transport, myoglobin for oxygen storage, and cytochromes for cellular respiration. It serves as an essential cofactor in critical metabolic enzyme systems. Also acts as a colorant, imparting a reddish-brown hue. |
| Application Effect in Product | Nutritionally fortifies products like cereals, flour, and infant formula to increase dietary iron intake. Stabilizes and fixes the black color in cured ripe olives by reacting with phenolic compounds. Minimally impacts flavor compared to other iron salts like ferrous sulfate. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrous Fumarate | Oral Iron Supplement (Iron Salt) | High elemental iron content (~33%); fumarate salt form. | Highest elemental iron per dose among common salts, allowing for fewer pills. Low cost. | High potential for gastrointestinal (GI) side effects like constipation and nausea. | Treating significant iron deficiency where high iron dosage is needed and cost is a key factor. | For maximum iron content per tablet at a low price, if you can tolerate the side effects. |
| Ferrous Sulfate | Oral Iron Supplement (Iron Salt) | Standard, widely studied form; ~20% elemental iron. | Most researched iron supplement; extremely inexpensive and widely available. Often the clinical standard. | High incidence of GI side effects, often considered the benchmark for poor tolerability. | First-line treatment for uncomplicated iron deficiency due to extensive data and low cost. | You need the most common, cheapest, and well-studied form of iron supplement. |
| Ferrous Gluconate | Oral Iron Supplement (Iron Salt) | Lower elemental iron content (~12%); gluconate salt form. | Often considered gentler on the stomach and better tolerated than fumarate or sulfate. | Lowest elemental iron content, requiring more tablets to achieve an equivalent dose. | Mild iron deficiency or for individuals who experienced significant GI upset with other iron salts. | Tolerability is your main concern, and you are willing to take more pills to get the required iron. |
| Polysaccharide-Iron Complex | Oral Iron Supplement (Iron Complex) | Iron is complexed with a polysaccharide carrier. | Significantly lower incidence of GI side effects. Absorption is less affected by food. | Considerably more expensive than simple iron salts. | For patients with sensitive stomachs, chronic GI issues, or who cannot tolerate iron salts. | You need effective oral iron but cannot tolerate the side effects of standard iron salts. |
| Carbonyl Iron | Oral Iron Supplement (Elemental) | Pure elemental iron (~98%) with a slow absorption rate. | Very low risk of toxicity from accidental overdose, making it safer for households with children. Well-tolerated. | Slower absorption may be less efficient for rapidly correcting severe anemia. Higher cost than salts. | Maintenance therapy, pediatric use, or situations where overdose risk is a primary safety concern. | Safety is the top priority, and a gentle, slow-release form of iron is preferred. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
COA and monographs available
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
MSDS available
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications