RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To prepare Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide-iron (III) complex (POPFe) and study its physico-chemical properties. METHODS: POPFe was synthesized by neutralization of FeCl3 carbohydrate solution. Orthogonal design was used to optimize the preparation process. The content of iron (III) in POPFe was determined with o-phenanthroline spectrophotometry and iodometry. The surface structure of POPFe was studied by infrared spectroscopic technique. The deoxidization of POPFe was tested with colorimetric analysis. RESULTS: The optimal preparation conditions were found as follows: the ratio of polysaccharides aqueous solution to sodium citrate solution as 4:1, temperature 70°C and pH 8-9. POPFe showed qualitatively identified reactions of Fe (III). The content of Fe (III) in POPFe was 30.13%. The complex was stable at pH 3-12 without precipitation and dissociation. At 37°C, Fe (III) in the complex was completely reduced to Fe (II) by ascorbic acid in about 5 h. CONCLUSION: POPFe can be developed as a new iron supplementary. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.