Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42316581›Full record

ReviewComprehensive reviews in food science and food safety2026

Iron Complexes With Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Maillard Products in Dairy Systems: Implication for Fortification, Bioavailability, and Product Functionality.

Ishara De Silva, Mary Ann Augustin, Thom Huppertz, Julia Yq Low, Arianna Dick, Jayani Chandrapala

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Ishara De SilvaSchool of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
Mary Ann AugustinSchool of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
Thom HuppertzSchool of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Julia Yq LowSchool of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6882-2877
Arianna DickSchool of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
Jayani ChandrapalaSchool of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1464-0378

Funding

Australia and RMIT International Tuition Fee ScholarshipRMIT UniversityRoyal Melbourne Institute of Technology
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The global prevalence of iron (Fe) deficiency anemia (IDA) continues to pose major public health challenges, necessitating the development of effective fortification strategies. Dairy-based systems are promising vehicles for Fe fortification and delivery due to their widespread consumption and nutritional value, although their complex matrix presents significant challenges for maintaining Fe bioavailability and product quality. This review critically evaluates current knowledge on Fe fortification in dairy systems, integrating evidence on Fe forms, physicochemical interactions between Fe and the matrix, and their consequent effects on Fe bioavailability and physical functionality. Emerging fortification strategies are highlighted. Conventional Fe salts, including ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, and ferric pyrophosphate, have varying degrees of solubility and absorption but are often associated with adverse sensory changes, lipid oxidation, and reduced product stability. Fe-ligand complexes, including protein-, carbohydrate-, and Maillard reaction product (MRP)-based systems, can impart improved stability to the fortified product and bioavailability by minimizing interactions with inhibitors of Fe absorption. The incorporation of Fe into dairy matrices influences product pH and structural and functional properties while also accelerating lipid oxidation and sensory deterioration when inorganic salts are used. Strategies such as Fe chelation, microencapsulation, and co-fortification with enhancers have shown potential to mitigate these limitations. In addition, the role of prebiotics, probiotics, and MRPs in modulating Fe absorption remains complex and context dependent. Despite promising advancements, gaps remain in understanding interactions between Fe, proteins, carbohydrates and MRP and their implications for Fe fortification of dairy systems. Future research should focus on developing integrated fortification approaches enabling the design of next-generation functional dairy foods to effectively combat global Fe deficiency.

Indexed as

CarbohydratesDairy ProductsFood, FortifiedIronProteinsAnimalsBiological AvailabilityHumansMaillard ReactionCarbohydratesIronProteinsiron bioavailabilityiron interactionsMaillard reaction products

Identifiers

PMID42316581
PMCPMC13279861

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.