Potassium ferricyanide is the chemical compound with the formula K3[Fe(CN)6]. This bright red salt contains the octahedrally coordinated [Fe(CN)6]3− ion.It is soluble in water and its solution shows some green-yellow fluorescence.
In histology, potassium ferricyanide is used to detect ferrous iron in biological tissue. Potassium ferricyanide reacts with ferrous iron in acidic solution to produce the insoluble blue pigment, commonly referred to as Turnbull's blue or Prussian blue.
Potassium ferrocyanide is apparently benign and does not decompose to cyanide in the body. Inhalation: May cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing and shortness of breath. Ingestion: Large doses may cause gastrointestinal upset with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and possible cramping.
Together with sodium ferrocyanide and calcium ferrocyanide, potassium ferrocyanide has almost no side effects when used in table salt as a food additive. ... Some people may be afraid that it is dangerous to our health due to the toxic cyanide in it and potassium cyanide will be released during cooking