Iron dosage

Iron analysis is essential in many industrial sectors, including food processing, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition, and plant matrix analysis. This trace element plays a fundamental role in numerous biological functions, notably oxygen transport, cellular respiration, and DNA synthesis. Accurate measurement ensures the quality, regulatory compliance, and safety of products intended for human or animal consumption.

Why measure iron levels

Iron is an essential element for life. It plays a role in the formation of hemoglobin and myoglobin, in redox enzyme systems, and in numerous metabolic pathways. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, decreased performance, or impaired growth, while excess iron can generate undesirable oxidative effects.

Therefore, iron content measurement is essential in food and nutraceutical products to:

• to guarantee a composition that complies with nutritional and regulatory claims,
• monitor the bioavailability and stability of the added iron salts,
• to control the residual content in plant or animal raw materials,
• prevent oxidation or rancidity phenomena in lipid-rich formulations.

In animal nutrition, iron determination allows for verification of the mineral balance of feed for livestock, poultry, pets, or farmed fish. In agronomy, iron analysis in leaves, roots, or substrates is an indicator of plant nutritional status and the risk of iron deficiency.

Methods for iron analysis

Iron can be measured using different techniques depending on the type of sample and the required accuracy:

• Colorimetry : This method relies on the formation of a colored complex measured by spectrophotometry. It is simple and suitable for routine monitoring of moderate concentrations.
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) : used for precise assays, it allows the measurement of iron in atomic form after atomization.
• ICP-AES/ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry) : reference technique for multi-element analyses, offering excellent sensitivity and a wide linearity range.
• ICP-MS (Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) : used for very low concentrations, particularly in complex matrices (waters, plant extracts, low-content supplements).

For additional needs, these techniques can be combined with other mineral analyses available in the YesWeLab catalog, such as zinc , copper , or magnesium assays . These elements, often correlated with iron in biological and food matrices, allow for a more comprehensive assessment of a product's mineral profile.

Matrices and sectors concerned

Iron dosage applies to a wide range of products:

• foodstuffs (flours, cereal products, infant formula, fortified drinks),
• food supplements (iron salts, iron-protein complexes, plant extracts),
• animal feed (meals, pellets, mineral premixes),
• plant matrices (leaves, roots, stems, plant juices),
• drinking water and industrial process water.

In the food industry, this analysis is required for nutritional labeling according to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, which mandates verification of declared mineral content. Manufacturers of food supplements must also ensure that the iron content complies with the limits set by Regulation (EU) No 1170/2009.

In the nutraceutical field, analytical precision is paramount for formulating fortifying or anti-fatigue products. As for animal nutrition companies, they rely on iron analysis to balance the intake of essential micronutrients in feed formulas.

For the analysis of iron in plant extracts, this service can be combined with the determination of manganese or the quantification of calcium , also available on the YesWeLab platform, in order to obtain a complete view of the mineral nutrition of plants.

Analysis performed at YesWeLab

YesWeLab offers iron analysis through a network of rigorously selected partner laboratories specializing in mineral and physicochemical analyses. These laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment (ICP-MS, ICP-OES, AAS) and most are certified and/or accredited according to ISO 17025 and the COFRAC standard.

Our scientific team will guide you toward the method best suited to your needs: global quantification or speciation, solid or liquid samples, plant, animal, or food matrices. Thanks to our digital platform, you can easily submit your requests, track the progress of your analyses, and access your reports online.

Since 2020, numerous manufacturers, distributors, and engineering firms have trusted YesWeLab for the centralized management of their analyses. Our customized approach guarantees reliable results, regulatory compliance, and responsiveness in handling your analytical projects.

For multi-element needs, YesWeLab also offers complementary analyses such as phosphorus , potassium , and sodium levels . These services can be performed together to optimize your analysis costs and turnaround times.

Technical data

• CAS No.: 7439-89-6
• Possible methods: Colorimetry, ICP-MS, ICP-AES/ICP-OES, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
• Types of expertise: Physico-chemical, nutritional
• Business sectors: Human food, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition, plants

For any specific request, contact our team now to obtain a personalized quote and advice on the most suitable method for your samples.