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Updated: Apr 15, 2026

The Caco-2 Cell Bioassay for Measurement of Food Iron Bioavailability
Published on: April 28, 2022
Bioavailability of Functional Iron in Protein Microparticles
Saranya Chaiwaree1,2, Radostina Georgieva1,3, Till Deckart1
1Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
New iron-protein microparticles (IP-MPs), especially those from hemp protein, enhance iron stability and bioavailability during digestion. These food-compatible systems show promise for improving iron fortification and functional foods.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Food Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Iron deficiency is a global nutritional challenge.
- Conventional iron formulations suffer from poor stability and bioavailability.
- Novel food-compatible iron delivery systems are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop and evaluate iron-protein microparticles (IP-MPs) using bovine serum albumin (IA-MPs) and hemp protein (IH-MPs).
- Assess the stability, biocompatibility, and iron bioavailability of IP-MPs as food-compatible iron delivery systems.
Main Methods:
- Fabricated IP-MPs via coprecipitation.
- Investigated IP-MP stability using a three-phase digestion model.
- Assessed cellular iron uptake and ferritin concentration in Caco-2 cells.
Main Results:
- Hemp protein microparticles (IH-MPs) showed greater uniformity and stability under simulated gastric conditions.
- Both IA-MPs and IH-MPs preserved iron in the Fe(II) state and reached the intestinal phase.
- IP-MPs demonstrated enhanced cellular iron uptake and significantly higher ferritin formation compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Iron-protein microparticles, particularly IH-MPs, improve iron stability during digestion.
- IP-MPs enhance cellular iron bioavailability, showing potential for iron fortification.
- Hemp protein-based IP-MPs are a promising system for functional food applications.
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