Formulating a salt premix solution co-fortified with thiamine and iodine
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Date
2025-04
Authors
O’Flaherty, Jessica
Journal Title
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Publisher
Mount Saint Vincent University
Abstract
Salt fortification is a large-scale, cost-effective method for preventing population-wide nutrient deficiencies. Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency is a national public health concern in Cambodia. Salt iodization is already mandated in Cambodia, so co-fortifying salt with both iodine and thiamine could be an efficient solution, especially if existing spray fortification equipment is employed. Iodine and thiamine react unfavourably in aqueous solution: Thiamine chloride hydrochloride (TClHCl) lowers pH, catalyzing reduction-oxidation reactions leading to discolouration, precipitation, and rapid losses of iodine. However, both thiamine and iodine may be stabilized at 5.00<pH<6.00, potentially minimizing losses of either nutrient.