E1510 - Ethanol

Characteristic

Ethanol (Ethanol, E1510) - ethyl alcohol , methylcarbinol or simply alcohol. Chemical formula: C2H5OH or CH3-CH2-OH. Highly flammable colorless liquid with a characteristic odor. Ethanol is produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeast or by petrochemical processes. Along with water, it is a necessary component for alcoholic beverages (vodka, whiskey, gin and others). Small amounts of ethanol are contained in beverages that are obtained after fermentation, but do not refer to alcoholic (non-alcoholic beer and others).

E 1510 is used as a preservative in bakery products, also in confectionery. It is a universal solvent of various substances and components of perfumes, colognes, sprays and others, is part of toothpastes, shampoos, shower gels and others.

Use

Ethanol is used in the manufacture of medical towels and most often in antibacterial gels for hand disinfection due to its antiseptic and antifungal effects. It has the ability to destroy microorganisms by denaturing proteins and dissolving their lipids. It works against most bacteria, fungi and many viruses. The most effective is ethanol with a 70% concentration, which, however, does not affect bacterial spores. Pure ethanol can inactivate microbes without killing them. E1510 is used as a disinfectant and antiseptic because it causes dehydration of the cells, disturbing the osmotic balance in the cell membrane, killing the cell.

Ethanol can be used as an antidote (antidote) to methanol and in ethylene glycol poisoning.

In high concentrations it is often used to dissolve many water-insoluble drugs and related compounds. Pain medications and mouthwashes can be dissolved in concentrations of 1% to 25% ethanol. Such drugs should be avoided by people who have respiratory problems, as ethanol can cause side effects.

E1510 is present primarily as an antimicrobial preservative in over 700 liquid drugs, including acetaminophen, iron supplements, ranitidine, mannitol, over-the-counter cough medicines, and more.

If taken orally, ethanol is extensively metabolized in the liver by the enzyme cytochrome P450. Metabolic acetaldehyde is responsible for much of the short-term and long-term effects of ethyl alcohol toxicity. Oxidation of acetaldehyde produces acetic acid, and reduction reduces ethanol. Contained in ripe fruits, coffee and bread. It is formed in plants during the normal metabolism in them. It is the substance that causes a hangover.

The biggest use of ethanol is as a motor fuel and as a fuel additive. Brazil is the world's leading producer of ethanol as a motor fuel. Hydrogen ethanol (95% ethanol and 5% water) can be used as fuel in more than 90% of new gasoline-powered cars sold in Brazil.

Brazilian ethanol is produced from sugar cane and has a high carbon content. The United States and many other countries primarily use mixtures of E10 (10% ethanol or benzohol) and E85 (85% ethanol) ethanol or gasoline mixtures.

Ethanol was used as rocket fuel. It is currently used in light racing aircraft with missile coverage.

Commercial fuel cells can run on ethanol due to their wide availability, low cost and low toxicity. There are also fireplaces for home heating with ethanol.

Ethanol is considered a universal solvent because its molecular structure allows the dissolution of polar hydrophilic and non-polar hydrophilic compounds. It has a low boiling point, which makes it easy to remove from a solution that is used to dissolve other compounds. This makes it a suitable extracting agent for botanical oils.

Ethanol is found in paints, tinctures, markers and personal care products such as mouthwashes and deodorants.

Due to its low melting point (-114.14 ° C) and low toxicity, ethanol is sometimes used in laboratories (with dry ice or other coolants) as a cooling bath to keep vessels at temperatures below the freezing point of water. For the same reason, it is also used as an active liquid in alcohol thermometers.

Impact on humans

Pure alcohol can irritate the skin and eyes. Nausea, vomiting and intoxication are symptoms caused by consuming it. Regular intake can lead to serious liver damage. As a central nervous system depressant, ethanol is one of
the most commonly consumed psychoactive substances. Ethyl alcohol increases the secretion of acids in the stomach.