BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has been a major public health problem all over the world. Developing new iron (Fe) fortificants with both high bioavailability and negligible food sensory changes for IDA is in urgent demand.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Fe nanoparticles were fabricated through a one-pot reduction process under the protection of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The BSA-Fe nanoparticles were characterized systematically. The comparisons between BSA-Fe nanoparticles and FeSO4 in bioavailability were carried out through hemoglobin (Hb) repletion method. The biocompatibility of BSA-Fe nanoparticles was also investigated through in vitro and in vivo assays.

RESULTS: BSA-Fe nanoparticles have super-small size and good water solubility as well as water stability. The Hb repletion assay demonstrated that BSA-Fe nanoparticles have comparative bioavailability with FeSO4. The in vitro cell viability assay, in vivo histological analysis, and biochemical measurements proved the remarkable biocompatibility of BSA-Fe nanoparticles.

CONCLUSIONS: The BSA-Fe nanoparticles fabricated through a one-pot facile method have good water solubility, comparative bioavailability with FeSO4, and acceptable biocompatibility, exhibiting good potential for further clinical translations.

Keywords: Anemia, Materials Testing, Nanoparticles