Microencapsulation of Ferrous Fumarate for the Production of Salt Double Fortified with Iron and Iodine

The fortification of salt with iron may greatly reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency globally, but fortification is complicated by iron-iodine interactions. To minimize this interaction, a spray dry microencapsulation system was developed. This study evaluates the creation and use of this system, producing engineered iron premixes for integration into coarse iodized salt. Bioavailable ferrous fumarate powders were encapsulated via spray-drying to produce particles which are too small to be detected visually (<20?m). Feed systems containing both suspended and dissolved ferrous fumarate were compared to find optimal feed conditions. The premixes were blended into iodized salt at 1000ppm-iron and stored at 40°C, ~60 percent RH. The salt was sampled periodically for 6 months to evaluate the effect on iodine stability. All encapsulated samples were more stable than the unencapsulated samples. The capsules ability to adhere to the salt as well as its colour and apparent bioavailability were evaluated. Stable double-fortified salt based on inexpensive, coarse, unrefined salt may be obtained economically by this approach.