Product Detailed Description

Liposomal ferrous gluconate 80% — High Bioavailability Gentle Iron Supplement

Product Overview

liposomal Ferrous Gluconate 80% is a premium-grade dietary supplement ingredient delivering ferrous gluconate in an advanced liposomal delivery system. Ferrous gluconate (CAS 299-29-6 for anhydrous; CAS 6047-12-7 for dihydrate) is the ferrous salt of D-gluconic acid, chemically designated as D-gluconic acid, iron(2+) salt (2:1), dihydrate or iron(2+) gluconate (1:2) dihydrate. The anhydrous form has the molecular formula C₁₂H₂₂FeO₁₄ and a molecular weight of 446.15 g/mol, while the dihydrate form (C₁₂H₂₂FeO₁₄·2H₂O) has a molecular weight of 482.17 g/mol. It occurs as a grayish-green or yellowish powder or granules with a caramel-like odor, and contains approximately 11.6%–12% elemental iron by weight.

Iron is an essential trace mineral required for hemoglobin synthesis, oxygen transport, electron transfer, and numerous enzymatic reactions. Ferrous gluconate was designed to address the limitations of earlier iron salts that were poorly absorbed and often caused gastrointestinal discomfort. The gluconate anion provides greater stability to iron by preventing its decomposition inside the intestinal tube, causing much less gastric irritation than other commonly used inorganic ferrous salts, such as ferrous sulfate.

Why Liposomal Technology?

Conventional ferrous gluconate, while already offering superior gastrointestinal tolerability compared to ferrous sulfate, still faces challenges related to its relative instability in air and the regulated nature of intestinal iron absorption. Ferrous gluconate can oxidize to the ferric (Fe³⁺) form, which is less readily absorbed.

Liposomal encapsulation provides four critical advantages:

1. Oxidation Protection — Ferrous gluconate is unstable in the presence of air and can oxidize to the ferric form. The phospholipid bilayer shields the ferrous iron from oxygen and preserves its bioactive state until reaching absorption sites.

2. Gastric Protection — The liposomal phospholipid bilayer is similar to cell membranes in the human body, which makes them progressively biocompatible. It protects the iron-gluconate complex from premature interaction with gastric contents and dietary inhibitors, preserving its intact structure until reaching optimal absorption sites in the small intestine.

3. Enhanced Cellular Uptake — liposomes fuse directly with intestinal cell membranes, facilitating efficient cellular delivery via lipid-mediated pathways. This delivery mechanism complements the DMT1 absorption pathway utilized by free ferrous iron, providing an additional route of cellular entry.

4. 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. Liposomal iron is characterized by high bioavailability, reduced side effects, and improved compliance, making it appropriate for patients requiring iron supplementation who are intolerant to oral treatments.

Product Specifications

Key Features

• High Purity — Standardized to ≥80% ferrous gluconate, with USP-grade purity of 97.0%–102.0% on the dried basis.

• Liposomal Enhancement — Phospholipid bilayer encapsulation protects ferrous iron from oxidation and enhances cellular delivery through lipid-mediated pathways.

• Superior GI Tolerability — The gluconate anion provides greater stability to iron by preventing its decomposition inside the intestinal tube, causing much less gastric irritation than other commonly used inorganic ferrous salts, such as ferrous sulfate.

• Clinically Validated for Iron Status — A randomized controlled trial in pediatric CKD patients demonstrated that liposomal iron achieved a 1.2 g/dL increase in hemoglobin versus 0.6 g/dL for conventional iron, with significantly improved serum iron (p=0.03) and transferrin saturation (p=0.05).

• Lower Adverse Event Rate — Adverse event incidence was lower in the liposomal iron group (19.4%) compared to the conventional iron group (43.7%).

• Gentle on the Stomach — Liposomal iron is characterized by high bioavailability, reduced side effects, and improved compliance.

• Water-Dispersible — Suitable for capsules, tablets, powder drink mixes, functional beverages, and food fortification applications.

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

Application & Formulation Guidance

Recommended Dosage

Clinical guidelines for ferrous gluconate recommend 100–200 mg of elemental iron per day in one or two divided doses for adults. A representative commercial ferrous gluconate tablet contains 324 mg of ferrous gluconate, equivalent to 38 mg of elemental iron, providing 208%–211% of the U.S. recommended daily intake for adults and children 4 and older. A 300 mg ferrous gluconate tablet contains 35 mg elemental iron. For pediatric use, liquid formulations are preferred for infants and young children because they are easier to administer and absorb. Iron intake above 20 mg may cause mild gastrointestinal disturbances in some individuals. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for iron is 45 mg per day for adults. 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.