E551 - Silicon Dioxide
Author: Karen Lennox
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)
Characteristic: Silica is a friable blue-white powder, compacted friable granules, it can also be in the form of balls, dispersing amorphous powder. Food supplement E 5
Characteristic
Silica is a friable blue-white powder, compacted friable granules, it can also be in the form of balls, a dispersible amorphous powder. The food supplement E 551 has no characteristic taste and smell. Under normal conditions, the substance has good solubility in hydrofluoric acid, does not dissolve in water and ethanol. In nature, silicon dioxide is found in kitite, cristobalite, coesite, in the mineral quartz, tridymite. The synthetic additive E 551 is obtained by oxidation of silicon in oxygen at a temperature of 400 to 500 C.
Use
In the food industry, the substance is used mainly as an anti-caking agent and a means of preventing the formation of lumps. It is part of spices, packaged fruits, powdered dry products (sugar, flour, salt, spices, etc.). The food additive is used in the production of cheese and cheese products. With the help of silicon dioxide surface treatment of some confectionery products is performed. Also, the substance is involved in the process of clarifying beer. The additive is practically contained in all spicy rusks, chips, snacks.
In industry, E 551 is used as a filler for tires, adhesives, lubricants, paints. The substance is needed in the manufacture of ceramics, glass, concrete, abrasives, silicate refractory materials.
In pharmacy it is used in the making of toothpastes.
Impact on humans
There is no consensus on the effects of silicon dioxide on humans. Inhalation of silicate (quartz) powder causes severe irritation of the bronchi and upper respiratory tract, prolonged inhalation leads to silicosis of the lungs. At the same time, it is believed that regular use of water saturated with silica significantly reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease progression.
In the finished food production, the amount of the additive E 551 should not exceed 30 grams per 1 kilogram of finished product.
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