Iron(II) gluconate

• Iron (II) gluconate dihydrate
• E 579

Greenish color, sweet odor

Fixed

~ 140 ° C

Soluble in water (~ 250 g · l-1 at 20 ° C)

4500 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, Rat, oral, dihydrate)

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Ferrous gluconate (iron (II ) gluconate ) is a salt of gluconic acid.

It is used in the food industry as a so-called food additive from the group of stabilizers for blackening of olives. Artificially blackened olive recognized by the fact that the olive pit, the meat of the olive but is still greenish black contrast. The addition of ferrous gluconate it comes to food in a process of oxidation and discoloration. It is approved only for olives in the EU as a food additive called E 579.

Ferrous gluconate is used in the pharmaceutical industry, for example as an acidity regulator or to increase the iron levels. The substance is a component of drugs and diet products in order to increase the iron blood levels. The active ingredient is considered safe; so far no harmful side effects of ferrous gluconate were found. Ferrous gluconate may cause reversible discoloration of the teeth.