Formic acid
Formic acid is a saturated monobasic carboxylic acid.
Formic (otherwise - metanoic) acid is an uncolored liquid, soluble in benzene, acetone, glycerin and toluene.
As a food additive, formic acid is registered as E236.
Formic acid has been used in:
- Medicine as an external pain reliever;
- Agriculture, where it is widely used for the preparation of feed. It slows down the processes of decay and decay, which contributes to a longer preservation of hay and silage;
- Chemical industry as a solvent;
- The textile industry for dyeing wool;
- Food industry as a preservative;
- Beekeeping as a means to combat parasites.
The chemical company "Sintez" is the official distributor of BASF for the supply of formic acid to Russia.
Properties of formic acid
The properties of formic acid depend on its concentration. So, according to the classification adopted by the European Union, formic acid with a concentration of up to 10% is considered safe and irritating, a high concentration already has a corrosive effect.
Thus, concentrated formic acid can cause severe burns and pain when in contact with the skin.
Also, contact with its concentrated vapors is unsafe, since formic acid, if inhaled, can damage the respiratory tract as well as the eyes. If accidentally ingested, it leads to the development of severe necrotizing gastroenteritis.
Another property of formic acid is its ability to be rapidly excreted by the body without accumulating in it.
Getting formic acid
The chemical formula of formic acid is HCOOH.
For the first time, it was possible to isolate it from red forest ants (abdominal glands) by the English naturalist John Rayem in the 17th century. In addition to these insects, from which it got its name, formic acid is found in nature in some plants (nettles, needles), fruits, and also in the caustic secretions of bees.
Formic acid was artificially synthesized only in the 19th century by the French scientist Joseph Gay-Lussac.
The most common method for producing formic acid is its separation as a by-product in the production of acetic acid, which occurs by liquid-phase oxidation of butane.
In addition, it is possible to obtain formic acid:
- As a result of a chemical reaction of oxidation of methanol;
- The method of decomposition of glycerol esters of oxalic acid.
The use of formic acid in the food industry
In the food industry, formic acid (E236) is mainly used as an additive in the manufacture of canned vegetables. It slows down the development of pathogenic environment and molds in canned and pickled vegetables.
It is also used in the production of soft drinks, as a part of fish marinades and other acidic fish products.
In addition, it is often used to disinfect wine and beer barrels.
The use of formic acid in medicine
In medicine, formic acid is used as an antiseptic, cleansing and analgesic agent, and in some cases as a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory.
The modern pharmaceutical industry produces formic acid in the form of a 1.4% alcohol solution for external use (in bottles of 50 or 100 ml). This external drug belongs to a group of drugs with irritating and analgesic properties.
Formic acid, when applied externally, has a distracting effect, and also improves tissue nutrition and causes vasodilation.
An indication for the use of formic acid in the form of an alcohol solution is:
- Neuralgia;
- Myositis;
- Arthralgia;
- Myalgia;
- Nonspecific mono- and polyarthritis.
Contraindications to the use of formic acid are hypersensitivity to the compound and skin damage at the site of application.
In addition to the alcohol solution, this acid is used for the preparation of ointments, for example, "Muravit". It is used for the same indications as formic alcohol, as well as in the treatment of:
- Various injuries, bruises, fractures, bruises;
- Varicose veins;
- Fungal diseases;
- Acne, blackheads, and also as a skin cleaner.
In traditional medicine, due to its analgesic properties, formic acid has long been used to treat:
- Rheumatism;
- Gout;
- Radiculitis.
It has been used in formulations to stimulate hair growth and as a remedy for head lice.
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