MICROENCAPSULATED FERROUS SULFATE TO FORTIFY COW MILK - ABSORPTION AND DISTRIBUTION IN MICE

To determine the absorption and biodistribution of iron from microenca psulated ferrous sulfate (SFE-171), used to fortify dairy products wit h iron, a comparative study in four groups of 30 mice each was carried out. In two of the groups, the absorption of iron from ferrous ascorb ate in water (13.3+/-4.3%) and from ferrous sulfate in water (12.7+/-3 .9%) was determined and taken as reference standards. In the third gro up the iron absorption from SFE-171 in milk was determined, giving a v alue of 12.1+/-4.2%, which statistically does not differ from the data obtained with either reference standard. In the fourth group, the abs orption of iron from ferrous sulfate in milk showed a value of 7.7+/-3 .4%, which statistically differs with a p<0.01 from the data correspon ding to the other three groups. The biodistribution studies showed tha t the iron from SFE-171 follows the same metabolic pathway as the iron from the reference standards thus, giving a higher radioactivity perc entage and radioactivity concentration in organs or systems, principal ly blood, that are closely related to iron metabolism. Our studies all ow us to conclude that the iron from SFE-171 in milk follows the same behavior as the nonhemic iron, with a higher absorption than that of f errous sulfate in milk.