Iron-based nanoparticles production by flame spray pyrolysis

Iron is a component of heme in hemoglobin and myoglobin in which it plays an important role in the transport, storage and utilization of oxygen. Iron deficiency is one of the primary risk factors for health worldwide (especially woman and children). This deficiency induce anemia, alteration in mental development and decrease in immunity. Nutritional iron deficiency arises when physiological requirements cannot be met by iron absorption from diet. Particle size is a determinant of iron (Fe) absorption from poorly soluble Fe compounds. Decreasing the particle size of metallic Fe and ferric pyrophosphate added to foods increases Fe absorption and bioavailability. The compounds most suitable for this purpose are iron salts as FePO4 e FeSO4. Iron phosphate is commonly used as a human nutritional supplement and as a fertilizer ingredient. Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) is an industrial consolidated process used to obtain nanosized powders in large scale. However the application of nanotechnology to the field of medical food is the subject of controversial opinions due to the shortage of available toxicological data. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize nanoparticles of FePO4 made by Flame spray pyrolysis (FSP). The effect of precursor flow rate and concentration on particles size and powder production rate was investigated. The particle size distribution functions were in-line characterized in the range 7 nm-10 ?m by a low pressure impactor, ELPITM. Furthermore qualitative and quantitative analysis was made by gravimetric measurement, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption BET.