E501 - Potassium Carbonates

Author: Karen Lennox Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristic: Potassium carbonate is also called potash. It is a crystalline white substance that dissolves easily in water, insoluble in ethanol. There is no smell and the taste is pronounced alkaline. To

Characteristic

Potassium carbonate is also called potash. It is a crystalline white substance that dissolves easily in water, insoluble in ethanol. There is no smell and the taste is pronounced alkaline. Until the 20th century, the supplement was obtained by aqueous extraction from vegetable ash and subsequent purification, and today - by extracting ash from algae or cereals with water. Potassium carbonate is also obtained during the treatment of nepheline as a by-product. To obtain potash in industrial quantities, electrolysis of potassium chloride is performed, and the resulting potassium hydroxide is reacted with carbon dioxide to form water and potassium carbonate.

Use

The use of the substance in the modern food industry is limited. Today, the additive E 501 is used as an acidity regulator and stabilizer of soft drinks, it is also found in the composition (impurity) of baking soda. In addition to the food industry, potassium carbonate is used as a fertilizer in agriculture. The substance is used in the manufacture of optical glasses, lenses, crystal in glass. In construction, the additive is used for mortars, it is able to lower the freezing temperature. E 501 is an important reagent in developing photographs. The substance is part of fire extinguishers and is a source of carbon dioxide. It can often be found in liquid detergents and soaps.

Impact on humans

Additive E 501 is dangerous in the form of a suspension. Getting into the respiratory tract by inhalation, can cause severe irritation, allergic reaction, provoke an asthma attack in chronically ill people. Getting clean on the skin, local irritation and eczema are possible. In this case, wash the area under running water as soon as possible. There are a number of contraindications for use in baby foods.

E501 - Potassium Carbonates

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristic

Use

Impact on humans

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