Potassium nitrate
What is potassium nitrate
Potassium nitrate is an inorganic binary compound represented by the formula KNO 3, also known as potassium nitrate, potassium nitrate, potassium nitrate. The compound KNO 3 is a colorless crystalline powder, non-volatile, odorless, with hygroscopic properties. The substance is highly soluble in water. Not toxic to animals. In nature, the substance KNO 3 is found in the form of the mineral nitrocalite, the largest deposits of which are found in the East Indies and Chile. It is found in small amounts in plants and animals.
Chemical properties and methods of obtaining potassium nitrate
Potassium nitrate KNO 3 decomposes at 400 ° C to form potassium nitrite KNO 2 and oxygen O 2. This substance acts as a strong oxidizing agent, reacts with combustible materials and reducing agents. The substance KNO 3 is reduced with hydrogen at the moment of isolation.
Under laboratory conditions, KNO 3 is obtained by the reaction of potash Ca (NO 3) 2 and calcium nitrate K 2 CO 3, which is the oldest method of obtaining this substance. At present, potassium sulfate K 2 SO 4 is used instead of potash. Potassium nitrate solution is obtained by the same reaction. Among the modern methods of obtaining potassium nitrate KNO 3, the reaction of potassium chloride KCl and sodium nitrate NaNO 3 is more accessible and cheaper.
Applications of potassium nitrate
Potassium nitrate KNO 3, as well as potassium nitrate solution, is used as fertilizer (one of the nitrogen fertilizers rich in potassium, which is an essential component for plant growth). Also, the substance is used in the electrovacuum industry, metallurgy, optical glass making, in the production of gunpowder.
Nutritional Properties of Potassium Nitrate
Potassium nitrate is widely used in the food industry as a food additive E252, which belongs to the category of preservatives.
Preservatives - chemicals, food additives E200 - E299, which suppress the growth of microorganisms in the product, as well as prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor and taste of the product, the development of mold processes, the formation of toxins of microbial origin.
Potassium nitrate is used in the production of:
- cheeses (hard, semi-hard, soft);
- analogs of milk-based cheeses;
- sausages and meat products (salted, boiled, smoked), canned meat;
- fish products (herring, salted and marinated sprat);
- goose liver products.
The food additive is also a color fixer. The substance is added to foodstuffs to preserve the attractive appearance of the product longer. Has a mild antibacterial effect.
Effects of potassium nitrate on the body
Potassium nitrate produces a carcinogenic effect - the development of malignant neoplasms under the influence of external factors. However, in the recommended doses, E252 has no harmful effects on the adult human body. The negative effect of nitrates is explained by their transformation in the human body into nitrites (in food products there is an uncontrolled transformation of potassium nitrate into nitrites) and carcinogenic nitrosamines. The amount of nitrates that enter the body with food additives, in particular with E252, is negligible compared to the content of these substances in drinking water, as well as in vegetables (as a result of excessive fertilization).
Long-term exposure to E252 in small doses on the body can lead to the development of the following symptoms and diseases:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Mental disorders
- Disorder of spatial orientation
- Arrhythmia
- Kidney inflammation
- Anemia
legal information
Potassium nitrate as a food additive is approved for use in food production in the Russian Federation and Ukraine, as well as in the EU countries.
Products containing potassium nitrate are not recommended for daily consumption. Food additive E252 is prohibited for use in the production of baby food.
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