Optimization of iron speciation (soluble, ferrous and ferric) in beans, chickpeas and lentils

Abstract A spectrophotometric method with bathophenanthroline for iron determination that makes it possible to differentiate between iron (II) and iron (III) in total soluble iron in legumes (beans, chickpeas and lentils) was optimized. Sample size, volumes of reducing agent and bathophenanthroline were selected. Matrix interferences made it necessary to apply the addition’s method. To check the quality of the method, linearity and precision (RSD%) were determined. A linear response between 0.1 and 1.8 μg Fe/ml in the assay and precision values ranging from 2.1 to 6 for instrumental precision, and from 1.6 to 1.7 and 2.7 to 9.1, for intra- and inter-day assays, respectively were obtained. T…