DETERMINING THE IRON CONTENT FROM IRON SUPPLEMENTS

Research Question:

From a diluted solution of 25mL sulfuric acid and crushed iron supplements (from
various brands: Jamieson, Life, MegaFoods, and WebberNaturals), what would be the
determined content of iron (Fe) in each solution by redox titration of potassium manganate
(VII)?

Introduction

Personal Engagement Statement:

This is a significant topic as I am anemic; my blood has low iron content. Thus, I must
take iron tablets as a result. Hence, to learn more about my health and what elements within my
iron tablets most affect my health, I am interested in discovering the concentration of iron in my
iron tablets. To determine if the main active ingredient is iron, or if I also require other
supplements included in my iron tablet to better absorb iron into my bloodstream.

Background Research:
The main three reactive chemicals involved in this investigation are iron, potassium
permanganate, and sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid is a mineral acid composed of the elements
sulphur, oxygen, and hydrogen, with the molecular formula H₂SO₄. It is a colourless, odourless,
and viscous liquid that is miscible with water. Potassium permanganate is a common chemical
compound that combines manganese oxide ore with potassium hydroxide. Iron is a chemical
element; it has the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. Iron is a metal that belongs to the first
transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. Iron is naturally occurring in certain foods
such as: red meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, tofu, fortified cereals, and dark green leafy
vegetables.
Iron supplements are commonly used to address iron deficiency or iron deficiency
anemia, a condition characterized by a lack of red blood cells due to insufficient iron. Iron is an
essential mineral that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, mainly the production of
hemoglobin, which is a protein in red blood cells, responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs
to the rest of the body. Iron absorption is influenced by various factors, such as the form of iron,
the presence of other dietary components (e.g., vitamin C enhances absorption), and individual
differences in absorption capacity. For example, the body absorbs iron more efficiently from
animal sources (heme iron) than from plant sources (non-heme iron). The most common forms
of iron in supplements include ferrous, ferric, and liposomal iron. Common side effects of iron
supplements include constipation, nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset. Taking the
supplements with food or choosing a different form of iron may help alleviate these side effects.
Exploration
Hypothesis:
If a diluted solution of 25mL sulfuric acid and crushed iron supplements from varying
brands (Jamieson, Life, MegaFoods, and WebberNaturals) is titrated by potassium
permanganate (VII), then the most expensive iron supplements from the MegaFoods brand will
have the smallest iron content. This is because liposomal iron found in most higher-end iron
supplements has 3.5 times better bioavailability than common ferrous iron used in the other
three supplements. Therefore, the use of liposomal iron in more expensive supplements
requires less iron content to be successful, this is done so the supplement will have fewer side
effects. Iron supplements with high bioavailability reach the intensive faster, allowing the iron
nutrients to be absorbed into the lymphatic system and released into the liver more effectively.
This information aligns with the findings of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health:
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/iron/

Null Hypothesis:
If a diluted solution of 25mL sulfuric acid and crushed iron supplements from varying
brands (Jamieson, Life, MegaFoods, and WebberNaturals) is titrated by potassium
permanganate (VII), then there will be no difference between the iron content of any given iron
supplement. The standard over-the-counter iron supplement content is 28mg per tablet for all
supplements sold in Canada.

Variables:
Independent Variable: Varying brands and prices of over-the-counter iron supplements.

Dependent Variable: Volume of potassium manganate (VII) added to a diluted solution of 25mL
sulfuric acid and crushed iron supplement.

Control Variables:
- Human error in reading burette
- The mass of crushed iron tablet added to the iron(III) solution
- The volume of sulphuric acid added with the crushed iron tablet to create the iron(III)
solution
- The type of iron tablet
- The temperature of the reactants used
- The volume of indicator added

Required Materials:
- 500mL of sulphuric acid
- 5 tablets of Webber Naturals Gentle Iron
- 15 drops of acid-base indicator
- 250mL of 0.3 M potassium manganate (VII)
- 2 graduated cylinders
- 2 250mL beakers
- 1 100mL beaker
 - 1 weigh boat
- 1 motar and pestle
- 1 digital scale
- 1 50mL burette and burette stand
- 1 funnel
- 5 filter paper
- Distilled water
- 1 250mL volumetric flask and stopper
- 1 dropping pipette
- 1 conical flask

Methodology:
In acidic solution, potassium permangante oxidizdes iron(II) to iron(III) whilst reducing to
manganese(II) in the following redox reaction:

− 2+ + 2+ 3+
𝑀𝑛𝑂4 + 5𝐹𝑒 + 8𝐻 → 𝑀𝑛 + 5𝐹𝑒 + 4𝐻2𝑂
To determine the iron content, I titrated an iron solution with potassium permanganate
(KMnO4) until the endpoint is reached which is quantitatively indicated by turning the diluted
iron solution a pink colour for an extended period of time. The iron solution is diluted using
sulphuric acid to create an acid medium for the redox reaction. Knowing the concentration and
−
volume of 𝑀𝑛𝑂4 used to reach the endpoint, I would inherently know the number of moles of
− 2+
𝑀𝑛𝑂4 . Thus, using a stoichiometric mole ration of 1:5 I am able to calculate the 𝐹𝑒 ions within
2+
the solution from each respective iron supplement after multiplying the number of moles of 𝐹𝑒
with the molar mass of Fe (55.85).

1. Using the mortar and pestle, crush five iron tablets.

2. Place the crushed iron tablet into the weigh boat, and record its mass using the digital
scale, record its mass.
3. Empty the crushed iron tablet into the 100mL beaker and add 100mL of sulphuric acid to
the beaker. Stir the beaker until all particles of the tablet have been fully dissolved.
4. Filter the solution through the filter paper into the volumetric flask.
5. Fill the volumetric mask up to the 250mL mark with distilled water, place the stopper on
the flask.
6. Combine the mixture in the volumetric flask by flipping the flask a total of 30 intervals.
7. Using the pipette, measure 25.0mL of the solution and drop it into the conical flask, add
3 drops of acid-base indicator.
8. Pour 50mL of potassium manganate(VII) into the burette.
9. Titrate the iron(III) solution with potassium manganate(VII) until the solution just turns a
pink colour.
10. Record the amount of potassium manganate(VII) added to the iron(III) solution.
Analysis:

Raw Data:

Data Table For Trails of Webbernatural Iron Supplement:

Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Run 5

Final Volume 15.5 ± 0.05 18.7 ± 0.05 22 ± 0.05 22 ± 0.05 25.1 ± 0.05
3
(𝑐𝑚 )

Initial Volume 12.4 ± 0.05 15.5 ± 0.05 18.7 ± 0.05 25.1 ± 0.05 28.4 ± 0.05
3
(𝑐𝑚 )

Titre (𝑐𝑚 )
3 3.1 ± 0.1 3.2 ± 0.1 3.3 ± 0.1 3.1 ± 0.1 3.3 ± 0.1

Data Table For Trails of Jamieson Iron Supplement:

Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Run 5

Final Volume 32.3 ± 0.05 35.8 ± 0.05 39.3 ± 0.05 42.7 ± 0.05 45.7 ± 0.05
3
(𝑐𝑚 )

Initial Volume 28.8 ± 0.05 32.7 ± 0.05 35.8 ± 0.05 39.3 ± 0.05 42.7 ± 0.05
3
(𝑐𝑚 )

3
Titre (𝑐𝑚 ) 3.5 ± 0.1 3.1 ± 0.1 3.5 ± 0.1 3.4 ± 0.1 3 ± 0.1

Data Table For Trials of Life Iron Supplements:

Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Run 5

Final Volume 49.1 ± 0.05 11.8 ± 0.05 15 ± 0.05 18.6 ± 0.05 21.7 ± 0.05
3
(𝑐𝑚 )

Initial Volume 46.1 ± 0.05 8.5 ± 0.05 11.8 ± 0.05 15 ± 0.05 18.6 ± 0.05
3
(𝑐𝑚 )

3
Titre (𝑐𝑚 ) 3 ± 0.1 3.3 ± 0.1 3.2 ± 0.1 3.6 ± 0.1 3.1 ± 0.1

Data Table For Trials of MegaFoods Iron Supplements:

 Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Run 5

Final Volume 24.6 ± 0.05 27.6 ± 0.05 30.6 ± 0.05 33.7 ± 0.05 37 ± 0.05
3
(𝑐𝑚 )

Initial Volume 21.7 ± 0.05 24.6 ± 0.05 27.6 ± 0.05 30.6 ± 0.05 33.7 ± 0.05
3
(𝑐𝑚 )

3
Titre (𝑐𝑚 ) 2.9 ± 0.1 3 ± 0.1 3 ± 0.1 3.1 ± 0.1 3.3 ± 0.1

Processed Data:

Data Table for the Mean Titre of All Iron Supplements:

Iron Supplement Brand Mean Titre of all Trials with Standard
3
Deviation Uncertainty (𝑐𝑚 )

Webbernaturals 3.20 ± 0.4

Jamieson 3.30 ± 0.4

Life 3.24 ± 0.4

Megafoods 3.06 ± 0.4

Calculations:

Sample: (all amounts for sample from processed data for Webbernaturals)
Number of Moles:
3.2 −4
No. of moles of MnO4 in the 0.3 M solution: 1000
× 0. 3 = 9. 6 × 10

Therefore,
No. of moles in 25 cm3 of Fe2+ from the mole ratio 1:5 derived from MnO4:
−4
5 × (9. 6 × 10 ) = 0. 0048

−4
No. of moles of Fe2+ in 250cm3 diluted solution: 0. 0048 ÷ 10 = 4. 8 × 10

𝑚
Conversion of number of moles to mass (g) using 𝑛 = 𝑀
:
−4
Mass of Fe2+ per tablet: (4. 8 × 10 ) × 55. 85 (𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑒𝑆𝑂4) = 0. 0026808𝑔

Conversion of mass in grams to milligrams:

 1 1𝑔
Mass of Fe2+ per tablet in mg: 0.0026808𝑔
× 1000𝑚𝑔
= 26. 808𝑚𝑔 ≈ 26. 8𝑚𝑔 (3 𝑆. 𝐹.)

Uncertainty calculation:
Percentage uncertainty for the volume of MnO4 needed to reach endpoint:
0.4
3.2
× 100% = 12. 5% = ± 13%

Percentage uncertainty for volumetric flask for 25 mL of iron solution transferred (± 0.24):
0.24
25
× 100% = 0. 96% = ± 1%

Absolute uncertainty for iron content:

26. 808 × (13% + 1%) ≈ ± 3. 75 (3 𝑆. 𝐹.)

Therefore the mass of Fe2+ iron in one tablet of Webbernaturals iron supplements is:
26. 8 ± 3. 75 (3 𝑆. 𝐹.) 𝑚𝑔

Findings:

Iron content of one tablet from each iron supplement brand calculated from collected data:
Webbernaturals: 26. 8 ± 3. 75 𝑚𝑔
Jamieson: 27. 6 ± 3. 87 𝑚𝑔
Life: 27. 1 ± 3. 80 𝑚𝑔
Megafoods: 25. 6 ± 3. 58 𝑚𝑔

Conclusion and Evaluation:

From the calculated findings of this investigation the research question was answered:
From a diluted solution of 25mL sulfuric acid and crushed iron supplements (from various
brands: Jamieson, Life, MegaFoods, and WebberNaturals), what would be the determined
content of iron (Fe) in each solution by redox titration of potassium manganate (VII)? The
calculated results show the iron content of each iron supplement brand respectively as
26. 8 ± 3. 75 𝑚𝑔, 27. 6 ± 3. 87 𝑚𝑔, 27. 1 ± 3. 80 𝑚𝑔, and 25. 6 ± 3. 58 𝑚𝑔 (written in order of
Webbernaturals, Jamieson, Life, and Megafoods).
The calculated values from the data of this experiment support my initial hypothesis as
the most expensive supplement, Megafoods, has the smallest calculated iron content. This is
scientifically supported by the form of iron used in this supplement, liposomal iron. Which is a
newer form of iron made for supplements that has a 3.5 bioavailability than common ferrous iron
used in the other three supplements. Liposomal iron was created to provide an effective
treatment with a higher absorption level with a smaller content of iron so that the side effects
caused by iron in the supplements are lesser.
The predicted value of iron content per tablet for the Webbernaturals, Life, and Jamieson
supplements is 28mg while the predicted iron content for the Megafoods supplement is 26mg.
Therefore the calculated values are between 0.4 mg to 1.2 mg off from the predicted value. This
range of variance can be on account for the 14% calculated percentage uncertainty of the iron
content calculation, conversely, this could also be the result of random errors caused by
limitations of the experiment methodology.
The limitations of the methodology of this experiment that cause random errors include
the sporadic and slow mixing of the solution during titration. As I was mixing the beaker by hand
during titration there was not an even distribution of the potassium permanganate into the
diluted solution of iron. As potassium permanganate is a vibrant purpler colour when poured into
the light yellow diluted iron solution it initially appeared a magenta colour. This could result in the
appearance that the solution has reached the endpoint before it truly has. An often occurrence
was that the pink colour of the solution would quickly disappear after I would continuously stir
and combine both reactants. This could result in the under-estimated values of the calculated
iron content per tablet of each respective iron supplement brand.
An additional limitation of the methodology of this experiment that could potentially
cause a random error is human error in reading the measurements on the burette. As the colour
of the potassium permanganate was a dark purple, it was very hard to discern the readings on
the burette as they were written in black which blended into the solution. Additionally, as the
solution was a dark colour, it was challenging to observe the line of the lower meniscus within
the burette, therefore some measurements of the collected raw data used for the calculations of
this investigation have some uncertainty due to human error in observation.
A strength of the methodology of this experiment was the filtration and combination of
sulphuric acid and iron supplement when making the diluted solution of iron for each brand of
iron supplement. As the care and time taken to create each solution ensured that every particle
of each iron tablet was evenly dissolved into the solution. Allowing for the mass calculations of
iron that rely on the assumption of even mole distribution of iron throughout all solution used
remains accurate.
Some improvements that can be equipped to the process of this experiment to reduce
random errors include providing more time for the researchers to perform the experiment. So
that they do not feel rushed and can take more time to be exact with their findings and
measurements, to lower the chance of them making preventable errors, another improvement
includes using a ruler to line the researchers' sight up with the lower part of the concave
meniscus to ensure that they are viewing it at eye level to properly measure the volume of the
included liquids. This lowers the uncertainty of measurements acquired and the errors of
researchers misinterpreting the measurement of the included liquids, especially when
measuring the mass of potassium manganate. Additionally, an electric stirrer could be added to
apparatuses used in the methodology to ensure the even distribution of reactants during titration
to lower the random error of premature colour change of the final solution caused by the
potassium permanganate being left undiluted into the iron solution. The implementation of these
improvement would allow the experiment to more accurately answer the aforementioned
experimental question.

Bibliography
CDC. “Sulfuric Acid | NIOSH | CDC.” Www.cdc.gov, 3 Dec. 2020,

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/sulfuric-acid/default.html#:~:text=Sulfuric%20acid%20(

H2S0.

Harvard School of Public Health. “Iron.” Harvard School of Public Health, 16 Sept. 2019,

www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/iron/.

“Potassium Permanganate Uses and Side Effects for Eczema and More.” Healthline, 1

Mar. 2018,

www.healthline.com/health/potassium-permanganate-uses#:~:text=Potassium%20

permanganate%20is%20a%20common.

“Webber Naturals Gentle Iron 28 Mg with Vitamin C, B12, and Folic Acid.” Well.ca,

well.ca/products/webber-naturals-gentle-iron-28-mg_271233.html#:~:text=Medicin

al%20Ingredients%3A%20Each%20Capsule%20Contains. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.