Iron quantification

Fractions of cells (50,000 cells) used for MRI phantoms were also used for iron quantification applying the colorimetric phenanthroline method.59,60 The method was adapted for cell pellets stored at −20°C. Cell pellets were disrupted by 1 hour ultrasound exposure, and the incorporated iron was dissolved in 5 µL concentrated HCl. Dissolved iron in HCl was diluted in water (1:50) and treated at the ratio of 2:7:1 with phenanthroline and hydroxylamine hydrochloride for 15 minutes at RT. Developed colorimetric reaction was measured photometrically at 510 nm to quantify iron.