ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the principle of scrap iron processing by Terminalia chebula by comparation of the content changes of the Fe2+ in scrap iron and the organic acid in ingredients of T. chebula before and after processing. Methods Scrap iron was processed by two methods of decocting and immersion, respectively. Spectrophotometric method and HPLC were used to analyze the contents of Fe2+ and organic acid before and after processing. Results The content of Fe2+ increased from 0.000 3% to 3.07% and 1.02% after processed by the above two methods, respectively. The content of organic acid decreased significantly after processing (1.67% to 1.24% and 1.51% for gallic acid, 2.23% to 0% for corilagin, 9.33% to 0% for chebulagic acid, 1.18% to 0% for ellagic acid, 24.70% to 0% for chebulinic acid). Conclusion The Fe3+ in crude scrap iron can be reduced into Fe2+ absorbed easily by human in scrap iron processing by T. chebula. Organic acids in the processed products can prevent Fe2+ from being oxidized to Fe3+, thereby prolonging the retention period.