Sodium metabisulphite (Na2S2O5) is a colorless crystalline powder widely used in food, cosmetics, medicine and textiles field, and is an important sulphite compound. It’s made up of two sulfinyl ions and two sodium ions. Under acidic conditions, sodium metabisulphite will decompose into sulfur dioxide, water and sulphite, so it is widely used in the food processing and beverage industry, playing a disinfection, sterilization and antioxidant role.
1. Chemical structure and properties of sodium metabisulphite
Sodium metabisulphite has important physical and chemical properties, its molecular formula is Na2S2O5, the relative molecular mass is 190.09 g/mol, the density is 2.63 g/cm³, the melting point is 150℃, the boiling point is about 333℃. Sodium metabisulphite is a colorless crystal easily soluble in water and glycerol, stable in alkaline solutions, and easily decomposed into sulfur dioxide and sulphite ions under acidic conditions. Sodium metabisulphite is stable in dry air, but breaks down in humid air or at high temperatures.
2. Application field of sodium metabisulphite
Sodium metabisulphite is a widely used food additive, it is used in meat products, aquatic products, beverages, malt beverages, soy sauce and other foods as an antioxidant, preservative and bleach. It can also be used to make sweet foods such as sweets, cans, jams and preserves to enhance their shelf life and taste. Sodium metabisulphite can also be used as a catalyst in the fuel industry, bleaching agent in the paper industry, pharmaceutical additives, and chemical additives in dyes and textile processes.
3. Mechanism of action of sodium metabisulphite
The main role of sodium metabisulphite as a food additive is as an antioxidant and preservative. It can effectively inhibit the oxidation of fat in food, slow down the deterioration of food, and therefore extend the shelf life of food. At the same time, sodium metabisulphite can also inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold in food and avoid food contamination by microorganisms. This antioxidant and antibacterial effect is achieved by the sulfur dioxide and sulphite ions produced by the decomposition of sodium metabisulphite.
In addition to its application in the food processing industry, sodium metabisulphite can also be used as a chemical in other fields, such as fuel catalysts, bleach agents, pharmaceutical additives, etc. In these applications, the action mechanism and application characteristics of sodium metabisulphite are also different, but they are all related to their antioxidant, antiseptic, bactericidal and bleaching properties.
4.Safety and environmental impact of sodium metabisulphite
Sodium metabisulphite is a widely used chemical, and its impact on human health and environmental safety has attracted much attention. In general, sodium metabisulphite is safe to use within the prescribed dosage range. However, if excessive use and long-term exposure to high concentrations of sodium metabisulphite may have certain effects on human health, such as skin irritation, breathing difficulties, allergies, etc. In addition, sodium metabisulphite in the process of decomposition to produce sulfur dioxide may also produce SOx (sulfur oxides) and other pollutants, causing a certain negative impact on the environment. Therefore, when using sodium metabisulphite, control and safety considerations should be made to avoid possible hazards and environmental impacts.
In brief, sodium metabisulphite is a widely used chemical, which is an important chemical raw material in food processing, cosmetics, medicine and textiles. It has many functional properties such as anti-oxidation, anti-corrosion, sterilization, bleaching and so on, and is an important chemical in many fields. However, in the process of use, it is still necessary to pay attention to the issues of safety and environmental protection in order to give full play to its positive effects and avoid possible negative effects on human health and the environment.
We Weifang Totpion Chemical Industry Co.,Ltd are the professional supplier of sodium metabisulphite. Please visit our website www.toptionchem.com for more information. If you have any requirement, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Post time: Dec-18-2023