Excess of pyrophosphate ions strongly increases the solubility of ferric pyrophosphate at pH 5–8.5.
The increase in solubility is attributed to formation of soluble complexes between Fe (III) and pyrophosphate ions.
The ~10 fold increase in the concentration of ionic iron at pH 7–8.5, which is close to the one of the small intestine, is expected to be beneficial for enhancing iron bioavailability.