AN-V-241
2026-08
Fe(II)/Fe(III) speciation in iron citrate capsules by voltammetry
Fast iron speciation analysis with the Multi-Mode Electrode pro in complex citrate matrices
Summary
Iron citrate is used in food, pharmaceutical, and technical applications, where both total iron concentration and iron speciation (Fe(II) and Fe(III)) analysis are critical quality attributes. Citrate is an important ligand and efficient complexing agent in aqueous media, forming multiple Fe complexes rather than a single defined compound. Iron's oxidation state changes due to oxidation–reduction processes, light exposure, and oxygen ingress, directly affecting product stability and performance in biologically relevant formulations. Conventional methods (e.g., mass spectrometry, ICP) do not directly resolve Fe species or oxidation states without additional sample preparation. Voltammetry offers a direct and robust approach for iron citrate speciation, enabling selective determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in complex citrate matrices. By applying standard addition from defined stock solutions, matrix effects are efficiently compensated, allowing reliable quantification of individual iron forms.
Sample
Commercially available iron citrate capsules were used, with 20 mg iron per capsule.
Experimental
The content of the iron citrate capsule is dissolved in acidic solution. The dissolved sample is added to a vessel (Figure 1) filled with purged electrolyte. Quantification is done using two standard additions with separate Fe(II) and Fe(III) solutions to both prevent oxidation and adapt to varying Fe(II) and Fe(III) concentrations.
- Electrode: Multi-Mode Electrode pro
| Parameter | Setting |
|---|---|
| Mode | DME |
| Start potential | 0.0 V |
| End potential | -1.5 V |
| Sweep rate | 30 mV/s |
| Peak potential Fe(II) | -0.25 V |
| Peak potential Fe(III) | -0.8 V |
Results
The determined recovery rate for the total iron content in iron citrate capsule is 102%.
| Sample | Fe(II) (mg/L) | Fe(III) (mg/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Check standard solution 1 g/L | 1003 | 928 |
| Sample (mean value of three determinations) | 16.03 | 16.51 |
Internal reference: AW VA CH-0646-032026