Iron Colorimetric Assay Kit (Ferrozine Method)

Iron is a mineral (functioning as an enzyme cofactor) that plays an essential role in many biological processes. It is essential to nearly all known organisms. As a transition element it can form a range of oxidation states, the most common being Fe2+ (or ferrous iron) and Fe3+ (or ferric iron). Ingested iron is mainly absorbed in the form of Fe2+. The trivalent form and the heme-bound Fe2+-component of iron is reduced by vitamin C. Before passing into the plasma, it is oxidized by ceruloplasmin to Fe3+ and bound to transferrin to form a transferrin-iron complex. Iron is generally stored in the centre of metalloproteins, in the heme complex, and in oxygen carrier proteins. Iron-containing proteins participate in many reactions, often utilizing transitory changes in the oxidation state of iron to carry out chemical reactions. Iron is important for redox reactions, oxygen transport (e.g. hemoglobin), short-term oxygen storage (e.g. myoglobin) and energy generation. Iron deficiency has many adverse consequences, including anemia, hemochromatosis, chronic renal disease and in children, behavioral and learning disorders. Iron excess is toxic to the body, harming the heart, liver, skin, pancreatic islet beta cells, bones, joints, and pituitary gland. Maintaining proper iron balance is essential for maintaining homeostasis and health.