Novel Flaxseed Gum Nanocomposites Are Slow Release Iron Supplements

Nanocomposites, based on iron salts and soluble flaxseed gum (FG), were prepared as potential treatments of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). FG was extracted, characterized, and formulated into iron-loading nanocomposites via ion-exchange against FeCl₃, Fe₂(SO₄)₃, FeCl₂, and FeSO₄·7H₂O. FG-iron nanocomposites preparation condition was optimized, and physicochemical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. In vitro release kinetics of iron in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) was also evaluated. FG heteropolysaccharide, consisting of rhamnose (33.73%), arabinose (24.35%), xylose (14.23%), glucose (4.54%), and galactose (23.15%) monosaccharides, linked together via varieties of glycosidic bonds, was a good recipient for both ferric and ferrous irons under screened conditions (i.e., 80 °C, 2 h, I/G = 1:2). Iron loaded contents in the nanocomposites prepared from FG-FeCl₃, FG-Fe₂(SO₄)₃, FG-FeCl₂, and FG-FeSO₄·7H₂O were 25.51%, 10.36%, 5.83%, and 22.83%, respectively. Iron in these nanocomposites was mostly in a bound state, especially in FG-FeCl₃, due to chelation forming bonds between iron and polysaccharide hydroxyl or carboxyl groups and formed stable polysaccharide-iron crystal network structures. Free iron ions were effectively removed by ethanol treatments. Because of chelation, the nanocomposites delayed iron release in SGF and the release kinetics were consistent with Korsmeyer-Peppas model. This indicates that such complexes might reduce side effects of free iron in human stomach. Altogether, this study indicates that these synthetic FG-iron nanocomposites might be developed as novel iron supplements for iron deficiency, in which FG-FeCl₃ is considered as the best option.