Reactivity of Fe(III)-containing pyrophosphate salts with phenolics: complexation, oxidation, and surface interaction

[Display omitted] •Mixed fortificant salts: Ca2(1-x)Fe4x(P2O7)(1+2x) are explored for reactivity.•Iron-phenolic reactivity of mixed salts depends on phenolic structure and pH.•Presence of water-soluble phenolics solubilizes Fe from the mixed salt surface.•Phenolic oxidation is lower in the presence of mixed salts compared to FePP.•Discoloration for mixed salts (x ≤ 0.18) with poorly soluble phenolics is limited. Mixed pyrophosphate salts with the general formula Ca2(1-x)Fe4x(P2O7)(1+2x) potentially possess less iron-phenolic reactivity compared to ferric pyrophosphate (FePP), due to decreased soluble Fe in the food-relevant pH range 3–7. We investigated reactivity (i.e., complexation, oxidation, and surface interaction) of FePP and mixed salts (with x = 0.14, 0.15, 0.18, and 0.35) in presence of structurally diverse phenolics. At pH 5–7, increased soluble iron from all salts was observed in presence of water-soluble phenolics. XPS confirmed that water-soluble phenolics solubilize iron after coordination at the salt surface, resulting in increased discoloration. However, color changes for mixed salts with x ≤ 0.18 remained acceptable for slightly water-soluble and insoluble phenolics. Furthermore, phenolic oxidation in presence of mixed salts was significantly reduced compared to FePP at pH 6. In conclusion, these mixed Ca-Fe(III) pyrophosphate salts with x ≤ 0.18 can potentially be used in designing iron-fortified foods containing slightly water-soluble and/or insoluble phenolics.