Product Detailed Description

liposomal Ammonium Ferric Citrate 80% — High Bioavailability Gentle Iron Supplement

Product Overview

Liposomal Ammonium Ferric Citrate 80% is a premium-grade dietary supplement ingredient delivering ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) in an advanced liposomal delivery system. Ferric ammonium citrate (CAS 1185-57-5), also known as ammonium iron(III) citrate or ammonium ferric citrate, is a complex salt of ill-defined structure composed of iron, ammonia, and citric acid. It is chemically characterized by the general formula C₆H₈O₇·xFe³⁺·yNH₃, and is available in two distinct forms: a brown powder containing approximately 16.5%–18.5% iron and a green powder containing 14.5%–16.0% iron.

Ferric ammonium citrate is a water-soluble iron coordination compound used in pharmaceutical supplements, food fortification, and as a source of iron for nutritional purposes. The compound carries the European food additive designation E381 and functions as both an acidity regulator and an iron fortification ingredient across cereals, flour, dairy, and nutritional beverages. Iron is an essential trace mineral required for hemoglobin synthesis, oxygen transport, electron transfer, and numerous enzymatic reactions. However, conventional ferric ammonium citrate, like other oral iron preparations, faces absorption limitations related to the tightly regulated nature of intestinal iron transport and can cause gastrointestinal side effects that limit patient adherence.

Why Liposomal Technology?

Ferric ammonium citrate already offers superior water solubility and is well absorbed compared to many inorganic iron salts. However, conventional FAC formulations still face challenges related to the regulated nature of iron absorption, gastrointestinal tolerability, and taste profile.

Liposomal encapsulation provides four critical advantages:

1. Gastric Protection and Enhanced Absorption — The phospholipid bilayer shields the iron-citrate complex from premature interaction with gastric contents and dietary inhibitors, preserving its intact structure until reaching optimal absorption sites in the small intestine. Liposomal encapsulation protects the iron from substances within the body's digestive system which may degrade the active ingredient and reduce absorption.

2. Superior Encapsulation Efficiency and Nanoscale Delivery — A nanovesicular formulation of ferric ammonium citrate (FAC-LIP) was developed with high encapsulation efficiency (97%) and small particle size (40 nm), demonstrating excellent stability. This nanoscale delivery system significantly enhances iron transport to target tissues.

3. Reduced Gastrointestinal Side Effects — Liposomal encapsulation minimizes direct contact between iron and the gastrointestinal mucosa, reducing the risk of nausea, cramping, and constipation commonly associated with conventional iron salts. Enclosing iron in liposomes allows effective transport of iron to locations in the body where it is required, resulting in a high absorption rate and helping to reduce stomach upset.

4. Enhanced Brain Iron Delivery — Following intranasal delivery in rats, FAC-LIP significantly increased iron content in the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, striatum, cerebellum, and hippocampus, and was more efficient at doing so than FAC alone. No signs of apoptosis or abnormal cell morphology were observed in the brain following FAC-LIP administration.

Product Specifications

Key Features

• High Purity — Standardized to ≥80% ferric ammonium citrate, with elemental iron content of 16.5%–18.5% (brown form).

• Liposomal Enhancement — Phospholipid bilayer encapsulation achieves 97% encapsulation efficiency with 40 nm particle size, protecting iron from gastric degradation and enhancing cellular delivery.

• Water-Soluble Iron Source — Ferric ammonium citrate is a water-soluble iron coordination compound that disperses uniformly in aqueous systems, suitable for beverages and liquid formulations.

• GRAS and E381 Status — Ferric ammonium citrate is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a nutrient supplement and is an authorized food additive (E381) in the European Union.

• Superior Gastrointestinal Tolerability — Liposomal encapsulation minimizes direct contact between iron and the gastrointestinal mucosa, reducing the risk of nausea, cramping, and constipation.

• Enhanced Brain Iron Delivery — Preclinical studies demonstrated that nanoliposomal FAC significantly increased iron content in the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, striatum, cerebellum, and hippocampus compared to free FAC.

• Food Fortification Ready — Suitable for fortifying cereals, flour, dairy products, and nutritional beverages at levels of 0.05%–0.3% by weight.

• Batch Traceability — Complete COA, HPLC chromatogram, and identity data provided for each batch.

Application & Formulation Guidance

Recommended Dosage

Clinical studies and commercial products commonly recommend 25–30 mg of elemental iron per day from liposomal iron preparations. A representative commercial liposomal iron supplement provides 25 mg of elemental iron per capsule with suggested use of one capsule daily, or as recommended by a doctor, and may be taken with or without food. For food fortification, ferric ammonium citrate is used at 0.05%–0.3% by weight depending on the food matrix, with specific regulations for different food categories. Iron status should be monitored through hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation to guide dosing. Liposomal formulations may allow for more efficient utilization of lower doses due to enhanced bioavailability.

Shipping & Lead Time

• Stock Orders: 3–5 business days after payment confirmation.

• Bulk / Custom Orders: 2–3 weeks, depending on quantity and customization requirements.

• Shipping Methods: International Express (FedEx, DHL, UPS), air freight, and sea freight.

• Coverage: Worldwide shipping, including remote areas.