Stability of Iodine in Iodized Salt Against Heat, Light and Humidity

authors:

avatar Seyedeh Hoorieh Fallah ORCID 1 , 2 , 3 , avatar Asieh Khalilpour ORCID 1 , 2 , 3 , * , avatar Abdoliman Amouei ORCID 1 , 2 , 3 , avatar Mojgan Rezapour 1 , avatar Hajar Tabarinia 1

Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Environmental Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

how to cite: Fallah S H, Khalilpour A, Amouei A, Rezapour M , Tabarinia H. Stability of Iodine in Iodized Salt Against Heat, Light and Humidity. J Health Rep Technol. 2020;6(1):e100098. https://doi.org/10.5812/ijhls.100098.

Abstract

Background:

Iodine has undeniable effects on human in all stages of life and its deficiency during fetal stages causes mental retardation, which incurs huge costs for treatment and care.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat, humidity and light on the iodine content in iodized salt.

Methods:

In this analytical-descriptive study, five brands of refined iodized salts were randomly selected from supermarkets in Babol City. All tests were performed in the Chemistry Laboratory of Paramedical School in Babol University of Medical Sciences. In the current study, the samples were kept for three months under different conditions of humidity, without humidity, light, darkness, and temperatures of 37°C, refrigerator and ambient. The iodine amount of samples was tested every 15 days using titration method based on Britain Pharmacopoeia. Data were analyzed with ANOVA in SPSS.

Results:

The results showed that iodine was reduced in all samples of refined salts: 9.69 ± 1.3 for refrigerator temperature with humidity, 8.34 ± 1.4 for refrigerator temperature without humidity, 8.85 ± 1.2 for 37°C with humidity, 7.80 ± 1.4 for 37°C without humidity, 13.96 ± 1.3 for ambient temperature with light and humidity, 9.61 ± 1.5 for ambient temperature with light and without humidity, 8.64 ± 1.1 for ambient temperature with humidity in darkness, and 5.41 ± 1.2 mg/L for ambient temperature without humidity in darkness.

Conclusions:

The results indicated that ambient temperature, darkness and non-humidity were the best conditions for keeping iodized salt.

1. Background

Iodine is an essential element for the production of thyroid hormones, and its deficiency is currently considered one of the causes of brain damage across the world. An adult needs 150 µg of iodine per day to grow normally, of which about 90% is gained from food and 10% from water (1-4). Iodine deficiency is one of the most important health issues in developing countries like Iran (5). Iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) mainly affect the health of more than a third of the world’s population (6).

IDDs include goiter, cretinism, intellectual disability and physical disabilities such as growth retardation, movement and mobility deficiencies, strabismus, lack of muscular coordination and deaf-mute (7). Iodizing the salt is one of the effective ways to prevent and control IDDs (8, 9).

Storage conditions of iodized salt such as light, temperature, and humidity can affect the iodine stability. Previous studies have shown about 58.5% of iodine content was lost by storing salt at room temperature with a relative humidity of 30% - 45% in sealed bags after three years. Therefore, constant and accurate monitoring of iodine content in the produced and consumed salts in the community are very important (10). Similar studies indicate that iodine is reduced by physical environmental factors such as light, heat and humidity. Dasgupta et al. suggested that salt storage at high humidity significantly reduced iodine content (11).

In addition, Diosady et al. stated that high humidity led to the loss of iodine in iodized salt (12). Iodine less than the standard (30 ppm) in consumed salt causes failure in the country’s program against IDDs, while iodine more than the standard (50 ppm) has adverse effects on the community health (13).

2. Objectives

Considering the importance of iodine for community health, the present study evaluated iodine stability in different conditions of light, humidity and temperature in refined iodized salts.

3. Methods

In this descriptive-analytical study, samples of refined iodized salt marketed in Babol (5 salt brands labelled as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) were randomly selected and the initial content of iodine in the samples was measured. Then, iodine stability of samples was studied in different conditions of ambient light, darkness, humidity, without humidity and ambient and incubator temperatures of 37°C.

The samples were stored for three months under the specified conditions. The salt samples for ambient humidity were left open and those for non-humidity were stored sealed.

In order to measure the effect of light, sealed samples were exposed to ambient light while those for studying the effect of darkness were stored in a dark place. To monitor the effect of heat, the samples were stored at room temperature, in a refrigerator or an incubator of 37°C.

The iodine content of samples was tested every 15 days in the Chemistry Laboratory of Paramedical School in Babol University of Medical Sciences using titration method recommended by British Pharmacopoeia. The results were reported as mean ± SD after three repeats.

The results were analyzed using paired t test and ANOVA in SPSS.

4. Results

The initial concentration of iodine in the samples was less than the upper limit standard (40 ppm), while it was less than the lower limit standard (30 ppm) in salt 3.

The concentration of iodine was totally analyzed for 240 times over a period of three months at ambient light and darkness, humidity and non-humidity, ambient temperature, refrigerator temperature and temperature of 37°C every 15 days.

Comparison of initial iodine concentration with its changes in different conditions in samples is presented in Tables 1 - 5.

Table 1.

Comparison of Initial Iodine Concentration with its Changes in Different Situations in Sample 1 of Salta

Salt ConditionsTest Stags
Initial Concentration of Iodine2 Week4 Week6 Week8 Week10 WeekReducing Iodine Concentration
Iodine initial concentration36.24 ± 1.133.25 ± 1.230.97 ± 1.330.22 ± 1.326.45 ± 1.225.69 ± 1.310.55 ± 1.2
Refrigerator temperature with humidity36.24 ± 1.234.0 ± 1.433.25 ± 1.131.73 ± 1.228.7 ± 1.527.95 ± 1.68.74 ± 1.3
Refrigerator temperature without humidity36.24 ± 1.632.49 ± 1.431.73 ± 1.730.52 ± 1.827.50 ± 1.227.20 ± 1.39.04 ± 1.4
37°C with humidity36.24 ± 1.534.75 ± 1.232.49 ± 1.531.73 ± 1.329.31 ± 1.728.7 ± 1.57.54 ± 1.3
37°C without humidity36.24 ± 1.833.25 ± 1.732.94 ± 1.530.52 ± 1.228.7 ± 1.421.15 ± 1.315.09 ± 1.3
Ambient temperature-light-humidity36.24 ± 1.134.75 ± 1.233.25 ± 1.430.49 ± 1.230.67 ± 1.327.20 ± 1.29.04 ± 1.4
Ambient temperature-light-without humidity36.24 ± 1.834.0 ± 1.233.10 ± 1.731.73 ± 1.530.97 ± 1.327.50 ± 1.28.74 ± 1.4
Ambient temperature-darkness-humidity36.24 ± 1.835.05 ± 1.534.45 ± 1.234.0 ± 1.733.25 ± 1.230.67 ± 1.35.57 ± 1.3
Table 2.

Comparison of Initial Iodine Concentration with its Changes in Different Situations in Sample 2 of Salta

Salt ConditionsTest Stags
Initial Concentration of Iodine2 Week4 Week6 Week8 Week10 WeekReducing Iodine Concentration
Iodine initial concentration37.48 ± 1.234.0 ± 1.933.25 ± 1.531.73 ± 1.529.46 ± 1.728.70 ± 1.38.78 ± 1.3
Refrigerator temperature with humidity37.48 ± 1.835.05 ± 1.234.75 ± 1.733.25 ± 1.729.77 ± 1.129.46 ± 1.38.02 ± 1.4
Refrigerator temperature without humidity37.48 ± 1.834.75 ± 1.733.25 ± 1.332.94 ± 1.430.22 ± 1.429.01 ± 1.68.47 ± 1.2
37°C with humidity37.48 ± 1.835.05 ± 1.734.0 ± 1.234.0 ± 1.330.67 ± 1.6 ± 1.2 27.959.98 ± 1.2
37°C without humidity37.48 ± 1.832.49 ± 1.531.73 ± 1.730.67 ± 1.6 ± 1.6 28.7023.42 ± 1.214.06 ± 1.3
Ambient temperature-light-humidity37.48 ± 1.934.40 ± 1.734.00 ± 1.531.73 ± 1.330.22 ± 1.428.70 ± 1.68.78 ± 1.3
Ambient temperature-light-without humidity37.48 ± 1.334.75 ± 1.434.30 ± 1.7 ± 1.1 33.5530.22 ± 1.229.46 ± 1.78.02 ± 1.4
Ambient temperature-darkness-humidity37.48 ± 1.436.26 ± 1.635.96 ± 1.735.50 ± 1.333.55 ± 1.432.94 ± 1.24.54 ± 1.4
Table 3.

Comparison of Initial Iodine Concentration with its Changes in Different Situations in Sample 3 of Salta

Salt ConditionsTest Stags
Initial Concentration of Iodine2 Week4 Week6 Week8 Week10 WeekReducing Iodine Concentration
Iodine initial concentration18.13 ± 1.815.86 ± 1.712.39 ± 1.512.09 ± 1.412.09 ± 1.310.58 ± 1.27.55 ± 1.3
Refrigerator temperature with humidity18.13 ± 1.816.62 ± 1.913.15 ± 1.712.40 ± 1.112.09 ± 1.211.33 ± 1.36.80 ± 1.4
Refrigerator temperature without humidity18.13 ± 1.813.75 ± 1.712.85 ± 1.111.03 ± 1.210.58 ± 1.510.27 ± 1.87.86 ± 1.4
37°C with humidity18.13 ± 1.814.35 ± 1.313.60 ± 1.512.85 ± 1.812.85 ± 1.7± 1.69.59 ± 1.5
37°C without humidity18.13 ± 1.812.09 ± 1.812.09 ± 1.710.88 ± 1.610.27 ± 1.26.50 ± 1.311.63 ± 1.3
Ambient temperature-light-humidity18.13 ± 1.812.85 ± 1.212.09 ± 1.311.33 ± 1.710.58 ± 1.59.06 ± 1.29.07 ± 1.3
Ambient temperature-light-without humidity18.13 ± 1.815.11 ± 1.714.35 ± 1.213.60 ± 1.411.33 ± 1.310.58 ± 1.47.55 ± 1.4
Ambient temperature-darkness-humidity18.13 ± 1.816.62 ± 1.315.11 ± 1.414.05 ± 1.213.60 ± 1.312.54 ± 1.25.59 ± 1.3
Table 4.

Comparison of initial iodine concentration with its Changes in Different Situations in Sample 4 of Salta

Salt ConditionsTest Stags
Initial Concentration of Iodine2 Week4 Week6 Week8 Week10 WeekReducing Iodine Concentration
Iodine initial concentration36.26 ± 1.232.94 ± 1.330.97 ± 1.228.70 ± 1.327.20 ± 1.426.0 ± 1.310.26 ± 1.3
Refrigerator temperature with humidity36.26 ± 1.734.0 ± 1.833.25 ± 1.731.73 ± 1.328.70 ± 1.527.65 ± 1.38.61 ± 1.3
Refrigerator temperature without humidity36.26 ± 1.333.25 ± 1.231.73 ± 1.829.92 ± 1.527.95 ± 1.79.06 ± 1.4
37℃-with humidity36.26 ± 1.534.45 ± 1.833.25 ± 1.731.73 ± 1.329.46 ± 1.528.70 ± 1.27.56 ± 1.3
37℃ without humidity36.26 ± 1.534.75 ± 1.234.75 ± 1.534.0 ± 1.229.46 ± 1.522.36 ± 1.713.90 ± 1.3
Ambient temperature-light-humidity36.26 ± 1.535.50 ± 1.735.20 ± 1.634.60 ± 1.530.22 ± 1.724.18 ± 1.812.08 ± 1.4
Ambient temperature-light-without humidity36.26 ± 1.835.05 ± 1.534.75 ± 1.734.0 ± 1.331.73 ± 1.527.97 ± 1.78.31 ± 1.3
Ambient temperature-darkness-humidity36.26 ± 1.735.96 ± 1.935.50 ± 1.434.45 ± 1.630.97 ± 1.730.22 ± 1.36.04 ± 1.3
Table 5.

Comparison of Initial Iodine Concentration with its Changes in Different Situations in Sample 5 of Salta

Salt ConditionsTest Stags
Initial Concentration of Iodine2 Week4 Week6 Week8 Week10 WeekReducing Iodine Concentration
Iodine initial concentration37.02 ± 1.531.73 ± 1.730.52 ± 1.429.46 ± 1.629.01 ± 1.725.70 ± 1.59.52 ± 1.3
Refrigerator temperature with humidity37.02 ± 1.734.75 ± 1.633.25 ± 1.532.18 ± 1.329.46 ± 1.227.50 ± 1.19.82 ± 1.3
Refrigerator temperature without humidity37.02 ± 1.633.25 ± 1.831.73 ± 1.730.97 ± 1.927.80 ± 1.527.20 ± 1.49.82 ± 1.3
37°C with humidity37.02 ± 1.135.50 ± 1.334.75 ± 1.833.25 ± 1.130.82 ± 1.228.70 ± 1.78.32 ± 1.3
37°C without humidity37.02 ± 1.533.25 ± 1.732.94 ± 1.632.02 ± 1.329.46 ± 1.721.90 ± 1.415.12 ± 1.4
Ambient temperature-light-humidity37.02 ± 1.234.30 ± 1.734.0 ± 1.433.25 ± 1.631.43 ± 1.227.95 ± 1.19.07 ± 1.3
Ambient temperature-light-without humidity37.02 ± 1.734.75 ± 1.634.0 ± 1.733.25 ± 1.630.97 ± 1.826.45 ± 1.210.57 ± 1.4
Ambient temperature-darkness-humidity37.02 ± 1.735.26 ± 1.335.35 ± 1.734.75 ± 1.433.25 ± 1.531.73 ± 1.85.29 ± 1.3

5. Discussion

The results showed that the initial iodine concentration in all studied samples was less than 40 ppm, approved by the Control Committee for preventing IDDs, especially in salt 3, which was less than the minimum concentration of 30 ppm (its initial concentration was 18.13 ± 1.8 ppm).

Moreover, it declined in all conditions over three months. In addition, iodine concentration in all conditions had the highest reduction in salt 5 and the lowest reduction in salt 3.

Besides, there was no significant difference between iodine reduction and salt type (P = 0.52). In the current study, the amount of iodine was less than the minimum concentration in samples 5, 4, 2, and 1 at all stages except in ambient temperature-dark-non-humidity condition. However, in sample 3, initial concentration of iodine was less than the minimum standard, and was reduced in the next stages.

In all samples, the highest reduction of iodine was related to ambient temperature-light-humidity condition (5) with a mean decrease of 13.96 ± 1.3 ppm and the lowest one belonged to ambient temperature-dark-non-humidity condition with a mean decrease of 5.41 ± 1.3 ppm, indicating the effect of light and humidity on removing iodine from salt. In addition, there was a significant difference between the ambient temperature-light-humidity (13.96 ± 1.3 ppm) and ambient temperature-light-non-humidity conditions (9.6 ± 1.3 ppm) (P = 0.001).

Moreover, there was a significant difference between the ambient temperature-dark-humidity (8.64 ± 1.3 ppm) and the ambient temperature-dark-non-humidity conditions (5.41 ± 1.3 ppm) (P = 0.036).

Considering that humidity was the only variable in conditions (1, 2) - (3, 4) - (5, 6) and (7, 8), it can be said that these differences occurred due to humidity. In other words, iodine concentration reduced more significantly in humidity than non-humidity condition.

In addition, iodine reduction was higher in ambient temperature-light-humidity (13.96 ± 1.3 ppm) than that in ambient temperature-darkness-humidity condition (8.64 ± 1.3 ppm) (P = 0), which was statistically significant. The iodine reduction was significantly higher in ambient temperature-light-non-humidity (9.6 ± 1.3 ppm) than that of ambient temperature-dark-non-humidity condition (5.41 ± 1.3 ppm) (P = 0.002).

Given that only the light and dark were variable factors in conditions (5, 7) and (6, 8), it can be said that light was responsible for reducing iodine in samples.

Moreover, iodine reduction was higher in refrigerator temperature-humidity condition (9.69 ± 1.3 ppm) than that in the temperature of 37°C with humidity (8.85 ± 1.3 ppm) (P = 0.988) and was higher in refrigerator-temperature-non-humidity condition (8.34 ± 1.4 ppm) than that in the temperature of 37°C without humidity (7.8 ± 1.3 ppm) (P = 0.999). Considering that the only variable was temperature in conditions (1, 3) and (2, 4), it can be said that iodine reduction was higher in refrigerator temperature than that in 37°C, but this relationship was not statistically significant.

In addition, in all studied salt samples, iodine reduction was the highest in ambient temperature-light-humidity condition (13.96 ± 1.3 ppm) and the lowest in ambient temperature-dark-non-humidity condition (5.41 ± 1.3 ppm) (P = 0).

Therefore, based on all findings, it can be concluded that the best condition for salt storage is ambient temperature, dark and non-humid. The results of the current study are the same as those of a study in 2008 (14).

Besides, the findings of this study are consistent with those of Mahdinia and Nasehinia who suggested salt with iodine concentration less than 40 ppm should not be sold (15).

Dasgupta et al. (11) in the United States demonstrated that storage at high humidity significantly reduced iodine content, which agrees with the results of the present study.

Similar to the current study, Biber et al. (10) illustrated that about 58.5% iodine of salt was lost at room temperature with a relative humidity of 45% - 30% in sealed bags after three years.

The results of a study indicated that iodine stability of salt is higher in autumn and winter due to the lower humidity, which is consistent with those of the present study (16). Another study suggested that high humidity led to loss of iodine in iodized salt (17).

On the other hand, the results of the current study are inconsistent with the study of Hassanzadeh Khayyat and Jalali Moghaddam Shari (18) who reported slight changes in iodine content of salt in different conditions of humid, non-humid, light, dark and at different temperatures over 8 months.

Thus, in order to prevent the reduction of iodine in salt, it should be stored in a dry and dark place at ambient temperature. Special attention should be paid to the standard amounts of iodine in salt. Further studies are recommended with longer study duration in order to obtain better results.

Acknowledgements

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