E941 - Азот (Nitrogen)

Author: Maryam Ayres Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristic: Nitrogen is an inert diatomic gas that has no odor, color or taste. In liquid form it resembles water. The food additive E 941 is obtained by evaporation of liquefied air. A

Characteristic

Nitrogen is an inert diatomic gas that has no odor, color or taste. In liquid form it resembles water. The food additive E 941 is obtained by evaporation of liquefied air. Nitrogen can exist in liquid, gaseous and solid form (crystal flakes or large white crystals). In its pure form it does not support combustion, it is not suitable for inhalation, but without it life on Earth is impossible (the Earth's atmosphere consists of 75% nitrogen). The substance is contained in proteins, amino acids, nucleoproteins, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, hemoglobin, in living cells. The additive is slightly soluble in water.

Use

In the food industry, nitrogen can be used as an additive to canned juices. E 941 is used as a shielding gas in the packaging of meat, meat and bakery products, fish, various fats, oxidizable products. Nitrogen can act as a propellant, in particular in the production of whipped cream in cans. With the help of the substance the processes of cooling and freezing of food products take place. It is widely used in cryotherapy, petrochemical industry, mining, electronics. The additive E 941 participates in the synthesis of various compounds for the production of ammonia, nitrogen fertilizers, paints, explosives.

Effects on the human body

Nitrogen-containing foodstuffs do not pose a threat to human health. Inhalation of concentrated gas is dangerous, which can lead to suffocation, loss of consciousness, respiratory arrest. Staying in a chamber with nitrogen (cryotherapy) under medical supervision has a healing effect, increases immunity. Uncontrolled contact with liquid nitrogen leads to frostbite and adverse effects on the skin.