Sodium acetate (Sodium acetate)

Characteristics: • Chemical formula: C2H3NaO2
• Manufacturer: China

packaging: 25 kg bag

Sodium acetate (sodium ethanoate, sodium acetate) is the sodium salt of ethanoic acid, a substance actively produced and used in industry. scale. In appearance, it is a solid, crumbly mass of white color (possibly with a yellowish or brownish tint, depending on the presence of impurities in the composition). Often used in the food industry as a food additive, preservative E262. But the painted product is only suitable for industrial applications.

Receipt

Industrial synthesis looks like dry distillation of wood. In fact, most of us have also produced this substance in our own kitchen at least once in our lives. How? Quench baking soda with vinegar to prepare the dough! As a result of this reaction, sodium ethanoate and carbonic acid are formed. The latter is very unstable and almost immediately turns into water and carbon dioxide. So obtaining an aqueous solution of sodium acetate is nothing more than a reaction between ethanoic acid and baking soda, well known to every housewife. To obtain the material in solid form, it is necessary to additionally evaporate the solution.

Properties

It is a crystalline product, tasteless and odorless (or with a slight odor of acetic acid). It dissolves well in water (76 g/100 ml), forming a solution, but dissolution in alcohols and ethers is weak. Characterized by hygroscopicity. Does not belong to flammable substances. The degree of toxicity is low.

By the way, since this salt reacts with water, for its transportation and storage it is necessary to use packaging, supplemented with a plastic lining on the inside, marked “Keep away from moisture.” In general, these can be textile food bags, corrugated cardboard boxes, bags consisting of many layers of paper, as well as barrels and containers.

It is noteworthy that sodium ethanoate is widely distributed in the natural environment (not all food additives can boast of this). It is present in plant and animal cells. Like natural acids, it is found predominantly in fruits. In addition, it is formed during bacterial fermentation, as a result, it is a constant ingredient in all fermented milk (kefir, curdled milk, cream, etc.).

The product in question has another name - “hot ice”. This is explained by the fact that during crystallization a large amount of heat is released.

Molar mass – 82.03 and 136.08 g/mol (in anhydrous state and in trihydrate form, respectively), density – 1.45 g/cm³, decomposition temperature – 324 °C, pH of aqueous solution – 8-9.5 . The amount of the main component is 98.5%. Formula: C2H3O2Na.

Application

Sodium acetate is an affordable and harmless material for people and the environment with a wide range of applications, which is explained by the above-mentioned chemical properties. The main direction is food production.

The value of E262 for the food industry. Here this additive is valued, first of all, for its ability to regulate the acidity level of the chemical environment and act as an excellent preservative, flavoring and stabilizer. Her functional responsibilities include preserving the taste and aroma characteristics, shape and texture, as well as improving the consistency of products. Consequently, there are a number of products whose production today is practically impossible without it.

Sodium acetate is most often added to flour in order to prevent “potato disease” of bread (primarily wheat with low acidity) and bakery products, which is provoked by spore-forming bacteria, which are very common in natural conditions. Joint use with calcium acetate is popular.

In canned vegetables and fruits, it is designed to soften the excessively pungent taste of ethanoic acid and neutralize the harshness of the smell. It is often used to produce chips, crackers and similar products to make their taste and smell more pleasant, piquant, and a little vinegary. E262 can also be found in mayonnaise, bouillon cubes and freeze-dried products (for example, in instant soups).

Sodium ethanoate is approved for use in the food industry throughout Europe, the USA and Ukraine. Due to its low toxicity, it is believed that this food additive can be consumed by a healthy person with food in unlimited quantities. Therefore, even the maximum daily intake doses are not standardized everywhere.

Other applications:

- chemistry. Finds a place in the creation of dyes and various chemical compounds (in particular, acetyl chloride, anhydride and vinyl ester of acetic acid). Also acts as a catalyst for polycondensation;

- biochemistry. Here, namely in pH-dependent reactions, the ability of a given reagent to act as a buffer that maintains a relatively constant pH is very important;

- medicineon the. This substance can be found in some diuretics, wound healing drugs, antiseptic ointments and other medications. In addition, it serves as an alkalizing agent for metabolic acidosis and low blood sodium levels. And its ability to easily dissolve explains its use as an ingredient in injection formulations against inflammation and for pain relief;

- production of hygiene products, especially soap;

- textile and leather industries. Serves as a photoresist (polymer light-sensitive material) when using aniline dyes. As a mordant, it takes part in textile dyeing and leather tanning with chrome salts;

- rubber and caoutchouc direction. Inhibits the vulcanization of chlorobutadiene in the production of artificial rubber;

- agricultural complex. It is used as a preservative additive designed to preserve feed grains and green feed. It also increases the amount of milk yield and weight gain of cattle. And in birds it increases egg production;

- construction. Creates an anti-frost effect for concrete (any type of concrete, thanks to it, becomes more resistant to low temperatures). It is used in the construction of monolithic structures, concrete and reinforced concrete buildings from light and fine-grained concrete. It has proven itself excellent in the implementation of stone masonry when work is carried out in low ambient temperatures. It is also capable of preventing freezing of concrete mixtures during transportation, laying and compaction;

- electroplating. Serves as an electrolyte and buffer solution;

- photo business. Included in the structure of acidic fixing compositions for photos;

- environmental protection. Neutralizes waste H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) in wastewater;

- everyday life It is used in the creation of chemical heating pads and heaters, as an important element of the popular “hot ice” combination. This use is due to the ability of this substance to heat up to very significant temperatures. As sodium acetate crystallizes, it releases heat (exothermic reaction). Heating its trihydrate from a melting point of 58 °C to a temperature of 100 °C (for example, by placing a container with this compound in boiling water) leads to melting (or, more precisely, to dissolution in its own water of crystallization) with transformation into an aqueous solution sodium acetate. As this solution cools, it becomes supersaturated. Its supercooling to room temperature occurs perfectly, avoiding the appearance of the solid phase. Pressing on a metal disk located in a container leads to the appearance of a crystallization center, which increases and transfers the supersaturated solution into the solid phase of sodium ethanoate trihydrate. The amount of heat that occurs is 264-289 kJ/kg.

The described reaction, by the way, underlies an interesting chemical experiment with the same name “hot ice”.

In general, one of two types of industrially produced sodium acetate is used in a particular industry: food or technical.

Harm

It was mentioned above that this material has a slight toxic effect. Please note: slight, not complete absence. A certain detrimental effect on health and well-being is still possible (with increased doses and regularity of consumption). And according to various sources, harm is determined from an extremely low level to an average level.

Thus, when entering the intestines (absorbed by the body when swallowed), this product can be transformed into extremely toxic nitrates with carcinogenic effects. It is believed that excess intake of sodium acetate into the body is fraught with an increased risk of cancer and severe allergies. But there is no official scientific confirmation of this, so this additive is not classified as oncogenic or dangerous.

Also, significant quantities can cause intoxication, accompanied by the following symptoms: headaches and dizziness, sharp pain in the abdomen, paleness of the skin and mucous membranes, convulsions, coordination disorders, difficulty breathing, fainting.

The consumption of products containing sodium acetate should be limited to those who know first-hand what VSD, hypertension, dysbiosis, ailments of the urinary tract, intestines, gall bladder, liver, heart and blood vessels are.

This additive should not be added to food products intended for children. For parents who are concerned that their child will not develop an allergy, it is better not to give him food with E262.

On the one hand, the world community has not yet established the maximum daily doses of sodium acetate allowed for use, considering it to be completely safe. On the other hand, there are a number of negatives and limitations, but research in this direction continues and some data cannot yet be considered absolutely true. Therefore, everyone - whether a manufacturer or a consumer - must take a responsible approach to the use of this additive. Without fear, butwith the awareness that nothing leads to good in excessive quantities. Follow the golden mean - and everything will be fine.