Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remain highly prevalent worldwide and are associated with substantial morbidity, especially among infants, children, women of reproductive age, and individuals with chronic diseases. Conventional oral iron salts and food fortification strategies are often limited by gastrointestinal side effects, poor adherence, and unfavorable sensory changes in fortified foods. Nano-enabled iron formulations have been proposed to overcome these limitations by improving bioavailability while preserving tolerability and product quality. This narrative review summarizes in vitro, in vivo and human studies on iron oxide, iron oxyhydroxide, ferric phosphate, ferric pyrophosphate and ferrous sulfate nanoparticles used for oral supplementation or food fortification in the context of iron deficiency and IDA. Overall, nano-sized iron sources tend to show improved iron bioaccessibility and relative bioavailability than their bulk or conventional counterparts, particularly for poorly soluble compounds, and several preparations appear to reduce gastrointestinal intolerance and sensory changes in foods. Early human data suggest that selected nano-iron formulations can approach the hematological efficacy of ferrous sulfate while offering technological advantages for incorporation into complex food matrices. However, most evidence still derives from short-term or preclinical studies, and important gaps remain regarding long-term safety, organ-specific accumulation, effects on the gut microbiota and performance in diverse at-risk populations. Future work should prioritize well-designed clinical trials, standardized physicochemical and toxicological characterization, and clear regulatory guidance to support the safe and effective integration of nano-enabled iron formulations into nutritional strategies against iron deficiency.

Developing highly effective and durable functional fabrics using polyphenols derived from natural plants is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Tannic acid is widely available and relatively inexpensive, and its abundant phenolic hydroxyl groups promote carbonization during combustion, thereby effectively inhibiting the flame propagation. However, flame-retardant systems based solely on natural polyphenols often suffer from insufficient durability. In this study, a flame-retardant and antibacterial silk fabric was developed through a two-step impregnation method using tannic acid (TA), soy protein isolate (SPI), and ferrous sulfate (Fe[2+]). It was found that the modified silk possessed greatly improved flame-resistant properties. With increasing amounts of SPI and TA, the char length in the vertical burning tests decreased, while the limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased to 27.1% under the optimal conditions. Even after 20 laundering cycles, the char length remained below 10 cm, demonstrating excellent washing durability. Cone calorimeter tests further revealed significant reductions in both the total heat release rate (THR) and peak heat release rate (pHRR). The synergistic interactions among TA, SPI, and Fe[2+] promoted the formation of a stable protective char layer during the combustion. In addition, the modified silk fabric exhibited notable antibacterial activity while maintaining acceptable physical properties for practical use. This work provides a sustainable and effective strategy for developing multifunctional and durable flame-retardant silk textiles.

This study investigated the kinetics of ferrous sulfamate, Fe(NH2SO3)2, reacting with key radical species generated during used nuclear fuel (UNF) reprocessing. Using time-resolved electron pulse radiolysis, second-order rate coefficients were determined for the reactions of Fe(NH2SO3)2 with the hydrogen atom (H˙), hydroxyl (˙OH) radical, nitrate (NO3˙) radical, and oxygen radical anion (O˙[-]). The results indicate that Fe(NH2SO3)2 behaves similarly to other dilute solutions of ferrous ions, with no unique protective effects attributable to the presence of sulfamate anions at millimolar concentrations. The rate coefficient for the reaction of Fe[2+] and NO3˙ was found to be (2.31 ± 0.07) × 10[9] M[-1] s[-1], significantly higher than previously reported values. The rate for the reaction of Fe[2+] with ˙OH was (2.59 ± 0.10) × 10[8] M[-1] s[-1], aligning with literature findings for ferrous sulfate. These results underscore the importance of ferrous ion reactivity in the degradation of Fe(NH2SO3)2 under UNF reprocessing conditions and highlight the need for further research to assess its long-term stability and effectiveness.

This study evaluated the potential of the salt-alkali-tolerant actinobacterium Streptomyces luteus TRM 45540, isolated from Lop Nur saline-alkali soil in Xinjiang, to alleviate pH-related iron deficiency and promote pepper growth. We hypothesized that this strain could mobilize and compete for soil iron via siderophore production, thereby benefiting plants under variable-pH conditions. To test this hypothesis, we compared its effects with conventional iron fertilizers (EDDHA-Fe6, ferrous sulfate) and compound microbial fertilizer on pepper growth, soil physicochemical properties, and rhizosphere microbial communities in acidic (pH 5) and alkaline (pH 7.69) soils. TRM 45540 exhibited good stress tolerance, growing well at 3%-9% NaCl and pH 9-12. In both soil types, it significantly promoted pepper growth: fresh weight was increased by over 44% in acidic soil relative to the control, while root and stem lengths were elevated by 26%-91% in alkaline soil compared with conventional amendment groups. The strain increased the content of indigenous soluble iron in soil, raising soluble iron to 42 mg/kg[- 1] in acidic soil without exogenous iron addition, neutralized acidic soil toward neutral pH, increased total nitrogen to 6.5 g/kg[- 1], and enhanced phosphorus and potassium availability. Redundancy analysis identified pH and total iron as the dominant factors shaping microbial communities in acidic and alkaline soils, respectively. KEGG pathway enrichment revealed significant changes in organic pollutant degradation, nutrient metabolism, and stress response pathways following TRM 45540 inoculation. The strain enriched functional microorganisms related to siderophore secretion and nitrogen fixation, thereby improving soil microbial diversity and richness, while compound microbial fertilizer was associated with relatively lower microbial community activity. These findings demonstrate that S. luteus TRM 45540, with cross-pH adaptability and functional stability, enhances pepper growth and soil quality via synergistic effects of stress tolerance, nutrient activation (especially iron mobilization), and microbial community regulation. This strain provides a promising microbial inoculant for sustainable pepper production in variable-pH soils, especially saline-alkali soils.

Biodiesel wastewater (BDW) is a high-strength industrial effluent rich in organic matter, oils, and suspended solids, posing significant challenges for conventional treatment processes. In this study, a pilot-scale moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was operated continuously for three months to evaluate its performance in treating biodiesel wastewater (BDW) and its impact on the efficiency of subsequent coagulation. The MBBR achieved sustained chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) removal under fluctuating influent conditions, with average removal rates of 74.79% and 81.37%, respectively. Microbial community analysis based on 16 S rRNA gene sequencing revealed a diverse biofilm community in the MBBR carriers, with Bacteroidetes, Saccharibacteria_TM7, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes as major phyla. At the genus level, Saccharimonas, Chryseobacterium, and Proteiniphilum were the predominant taxa. In addition, MBBR pre-treatment substantially enhanced the performance of downstream coagulation using ferrous sulfate. The COD removal efficiency by coagulation increased more than 2.5-fold after MBBR treatment (from 13.35% to 34.29%), along with notable enhancements in TOC and SS removal. These enhancements may be associated with biological modification of wastewater characteristics during MBBR pretreatment, which improved the conditions for particle aggregation during subsequent coagulation. By linking continuous pilot-scale MBBR operation, carrier-associated biofilm characterization, and downstream FeSO4 coagulation response, this study provides practical insight into the integration of biofilm-based pretreatment with existing physicochemical treatment processes for high-strength industrial wastewater.

Refractory hypothyroidism despite high-dose levothyroxine therapy is most commonly attributed to poor adherence or gastrointestinal malabsorption; however, drug-drug interactions remain an important and frequently under-recognised cause. Oral iron is known to impair levothyroxine absorption through chelation, and current clinical guidance recommends dose separation to mitigate this effect. We report the case of a 44-year-old woman with severe biochemical hypothyroidism, with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) >100 mU/L (reference range: 0.27-4.2 mU/L), free thyroxine (FT4) 2.4 pmol/L (reference range: 11-22 pmol/L), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) 1.4 pmol/L (reference range: 3.5-6.5 pmol/L), despite reported adherence to escalating doses of levothyroxine up to 250 µg daily over nine months. She was concurrently taking oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg once nightly for iron deficiency anaemia, while levothyroxine was taken first thing in the morning, ensuring a separation interval of at least four hours in accordance with standard recommendations. A supervised levothyroxine absorption test performed according to the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Levothyroxine Absorption Test Protocol demonstrated adequate gastrointestinal absorption of levothyroxine, effectively excluding true malabsorption. Following discontinuation of oral iron and administration of intravenous iron, there was rapid biochemical improvement, with normalisation of TSH to 0.42 mU/L within six weeks. This case highlights that a clinically significant iron-levothyroxine interaction may persist despite appropriate dose separation. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for pharmacological interference in patients with refractory hypothyroidism.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2025.1539607.].

A novel process was employed to produce ferric coagulants using iron recovered from the coarse and fine fractions of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) sludge. The FeSO4 obtained as an intermediate product was converted to Fe2(SO4)3 (final product), which was used as a coagulant in water treatment. The iron contents of the coarse and fine BOF sludge fractions were 82.51 ± 0.02% and 45.6 ± 0.5% (dry basis), respectively. Iron was recovered from the sludge fractions by acid leaching with H2SO4 solution, followed by the addition of ethanol to the leachate to crystallize FeSO4, from which ferric coagulants were obtained by oxidation reaction with H2O2. The performance of the coagulants was evaluated using the jar test method. The optimum condition for the production of FeSO4 from the fine fraction of the BOF sludge was established using a desirability function. This resulted in the formation of 13.1 ± 0.2 g of FeSO4‧7H2O from 7.00 g of waste, with a high yield of 91 ± 1%, using 13% (v/v) H2SO4 solution, a leaching time of 140 min, and 120 mL of ethanol. The phase composition of the FeSO4 was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The Fe2(SO4)3 produced from the coarse and fine fractions of BOF sludge achieved high turbidity removals (95 ± 1% and 94.1 ± 0.9%, respectively), demonstrating its potential as a coagulant. Performance was compared with a commercial coagulant (polyaluminum chloride), confirming competitive efficiency (97 ± 1%). In addition, bench-scale production costs of ferric coagulants were estimated, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess economic feasibility.

Microplastics, MPs, plastic particles with dimensions between 0.1 and 5 mm, represent an important environmental pollutant. The removal of microplastics from natural and wastewater is a challenging research topic. In this regard, high-performance technical solutions must be identified, which can be based on existing treatment and purification technologies, to ensure their removal at concentration values in accordance with the legislation in force. In this study, the efficiency of removing some fractions of polyurethane microplastics, with dimensions smaller than 500 µm, from aqueous synthetic solutions with a concentration of 0.2 g L[-1], i.e., around 175 NTU, was evaluated. In the first stage of the study, the doses of coagulants and flocculants effective for the removal of microplastics were identified through the Jar Test. The variation in turbidity and their removal efficiencies were evaluated in the presence of classic coagulants, such as aluminum sulfate, Al2(SO4)3·18H2O, SA; iron sulfate (ferrous sulfate), FeSO4, IS; polyaluminum chloride, [Al2(OH)nCl6-n], PAC; Aloe Vera, AV, a flocculant; and activated carbon, AC, of the Norit GAC 830 W type. Classic coagulants, such as aluminum sulfate, have a good efficiency in removing microplastics, being able to provide a residual turbidity in the range of 6-10 NTU after a retention time of 50-60 min. In the second stage of the study, the removal efficiency of microplastics was tested using a laboratory pilot plant-called in the study the Smart Decantation-Filtration System, SDFS. The efficiency of the decanter was studied using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to identify mathematical models that characterize the influence of key process variables: flow rate (A), microplastic size (B) and aluminum sulfate concentration (C) on microplastic removal efficiency. Sedimentation in the specially constructed decanter can raise the optimal value of the removal efficiency of polyurethane microplastics to 98.98%, and filtration can ensure an efficiency that reaches over 99.5%. Through this research, we aimed to identify viable solutions that can be applied to remove microplastics, MPs, from natural and wastewater. A novel element is the fact that we chose to study the removal of polyurethane, which is studied little in the literature. We identified the optimal doses of coagulants and flocculants that help sedimentation of MPs. The efficiency of an installation called Smart Decantation-Filtration System, specially designed to ensure increased efficiency in the removal of microplastics, was determined. The results obtained were encouraging.

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), a prevalent condition in pregnancy, is often treated with oral iron, but with poor adherence. Evidence from trials has shown that ferric carboxymaltose, an intravenous iron therapy, is safe and highly effective. We aimed to conduct a cost-utility analysis of intravenous iron for moderate-to-severe IDA in pregnancy. This was a prespecified analysis of the Intravenous Versus Oral Iron for Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnant Nigerian Women (IVON) trial.

The global prevalence of iron (Fe) deficiency anemia (IDA) continues to pose major public health challenges, necessitating the development of effective fortification strategies. Dairy-based systems are promising vehicles for Fe fortification and delivery due to their widespread consumption and nutritional value, although their complex matrix presents significant challenges for maintaining Fe bioavailability and product quality. This review critically evaluates current knowledge on Fe fortification in dairy systems, integrating evidence on Fe forms, physicochemical interactions between Fe and the matrix, and their consequent effects on Fe bioavailability and physical functionality. Emerging fortification strategies are highlighted. Conventional Fe salts, including ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, and ferric pyrophosphate, have varying degrees of solubility and absorption but are often associated with adverse sensory changes, lipid oxidation, and reduced product stability. Fe-ligand complexes, including protein-, carbohydrate-, and Maillard reaction product (MRP)-based systems, can impart improved stability to the fortified product and bioavailability by minimizing interactions with inhibitors of Fe absorption. The incorporation of Fe into dairy matrices influences product pH and structural and functional properties while also accelerating lipid oxidation and sensory deterioration when inorganic salts are used. Strategies such as Fe chelation, microencapsulation, and co-fortification with enhancers have shown potential to mitigate these limitations. In addition, the role of prebiotics, probiotics, and MRPs in modulating Fe absorption remains complex and context dependent. Despite promising advancements, gaps remain in understanding interactions between Fe, proteins, carbohydrates and MRP and their implications for Fe fortification of dairy systems. Future research should focus on developing integrated fortification approaches enabling the design of next-generation functional dairy foods to effectively combat global Fe deficiency.

The research aims to unveil the iron fortification of coffee with chelating agents for reducing iron-polyphenol complexation. Among fortificants, Ferrous Sulphate (FS) exhibited complexation of 1.78 mM FeCl₃/TAE due to Fe2+ and was selected for further evaluation. Chelators considerably decreased complexation by 89-94%; with EDTA as the competitive ligand due to preferential chelation at 1:1 of FS-FC:EDTA ratio (0.18 mM FeCl₃/TAE). FTIR showed attenuated FeO phenolic stretching (500-600 cm-1), dynamic light scattering revealed stable colloidal aggregation (-33.10 to -39.33 mV and 231 to 376 d.nm). Bioaccessibility of iron increased from 17.40% in FS-FC to 24.14% with EDTA addition. The sensory profile of the fortified coffee (FC) remained largely comparable to unfortified coffee (UC), as supported by E-nose, E-tongue, and GC-MS analyses. This study represents the effective use of EDTA for iron fortification in coffee with optimized nutrient delivery and sensory, may contribute to reducing iron deficiency via a globally consumed beverage.