E579 (Ferrous gluconate) is a chemical compound, iron salt of gluconic acid.
It appears in the form of a yellowish powder.
What it is used for and where
Food
Iron is an essential element in the human body and acts as the basis for many biological functions. Iron compounds are used as iron supplements to treat anaemia, to reduce the risk of iron deficiency. Ferrous gluconate is used, together with zinc oxide and ascorbic acid, to improve the nutritional value of milk (1).
Ingredient listed in the European food additives list as E579 as a stabiliser.
This study finds that glycine-stabilised ferrous gluconate in a fresh cheese matrix is a good source of iron and can be used in iron fortification programmes (2).
Medical
Iron deficiency anaemia is a common clinical condition often treated with tablets containing 65 mg elemental iron. Such doses can cause gastrointestinal side effects that lower the patient's compliance. Oral iron supplements also increase hepcidin production causing reduced fractional absorption of subsequent doses. Frequent blood donors often become iron deficient. Results of a two-year study suggest that much lower doses of iron than those currently used will be effective for the clinical treatment of iron deficiency anaemia (3).
Cosmetics
Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
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- Molecular Formula: C12H22FeO14·2H2O o C12H22FeO14
- Molecular Weight: 446.139
- CAS: 299-29-6
- EC number: 206-076-3
