2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14
Silicon dioxide (silica, SiO2; lat. silica) - silicon oxide (IV). Colorless crystals with a melting point of +1713…+1728 °C, with high hardness and strength.
It is difficult to overestimate the effect of silicon dioxide on the human body. The mineral is responsible for bone elasticity and flexibility, nail strength, hair condition, and helps tissues recover faster. Academician V. I. Vernadsky rightly asserted that no organism can develop and exist without silicon. Silicon does not occur naturally in nature. It is present in the form of dioxide in rock crystal, jasper, topaz, amethyst, agate and other valuable minerals. Silicon dioxide is used in the food industry as a multifunctional safe food additive.
Additive name
Crystal silicon dioxide is the common name for the additive. Silicon Dioxide is the international option. In digital Europeansystem code is written as E551. Is the food additive dangerous or not? Let's figure it out.
Its synonyms: amorphous silicon dioxide; silica; IV silicon oxide; white soot; aerosil; silicic anhydride; German Silizium dioxid; silica gel; French dioxyde de silizium.
Type of substance
An additive such as E 551 is one of the emulsifiers. They are used all the time in the food industry.
Silicon dioxide is a natural substance. It exists naturally in the form of quartz, which is the mineral that makes up sand. Used in the food industry is a substance that is artificially synthesized, with a high degree of purity (amorphous silicon dioxide). It is obtained by heating silicon in an oxygen atmosphere. The oxidative reaction occurs at temperatures up to 500 °C. Another method is the hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride vapor in a hydrogen flame. Synthesis is carried out in special autoclaves from 1000 ºC.
Silicon dioxide in its natural form is used only in glass, construction and similar industries, where the purity of the material is not essential.
Features and packaging
The standard color of the substance is bluish-white or white. Its composition is determined by such a chemical formula as SiO2. Silicon dioxide externally represents small granules or powder. There is no smell. Insoluble in ethanol and water, soluble in hydrofluoric acid. The content of the active substance is 99%. There is no taste. Matter density– 2.2g per cm3. Other properties: high strength and hardness, heat stable, strong adsorbent, acid resistant.
This supplement is most often packaged in heavy polyethylene or kraft paper bags. It is allowed to pack products in polypropylene containers if there is an additional polyethylene insert.
Let's take a closer look at the use of silicon dioxide.
Production for the food industry
SiO₂ is used in the food industry as a food additive, which has its own index in the European code system - E551.
In its pure form, silicon dioxide is not used in the food industry. It uses powdered Silicon Dioxide, or, to put it another way, amorphous silica, “white soot”. The production of the additive is carried out at special factories in two ways of artificial synthesis: Si is heated in an oxygen environment at five hundred degrees Celsius, an oxidative reaction is carried out, which leads to the production of white soot, and in special sterilizers at a thousand degrees, the reaction of Silicona Tetrachlorida vapor in a hydrogen flame occurs.
The negative effect of silicon dioxide on the human body is not confirmed.
The use of this emulsifier in food production is allowed in all countries without exception (including Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, European countries), provided that its content in the finished product does not go beyond the limit, that is, 30 g per kilogram. He is notharmful to he alth and safe to use.
Fields of application of the substance
E 551 is included in the list of approved foodstuffs. As an auxiliary substance, silicon dioxide prevents clumping and caking of bulk products. It is added to semolina, flour, milk powder, spices, egg powder, sugar, s alt and its analogues. Normalizes the texture of sliced or grated cheeses. Converts liquid into a bulk mass, preserves and enhances the smell (snacks for beer, chips, crackers, etc.). Neutralizes the increased amount of alkali in alcoholic drinks (including cognac), stabilizes acidity, brightens due to the adsorption of proteins that cloud the beer, drink, increases its resistance. An emulsifier is used for surface treatment of confectionery sugary products (excluding chocolate). This prevents sticking, brittleness, and extends the shelf life.
This additive can be used in all countries. Its quantity should not exceed 30 g per kg of product in finished form.
Emulsifier E 551 is used in large quantities for the needs of medicine and pharmaceuticals.
Under the name Aerosil, this substance is commonly used as a highly dispersed active filler in ointments, tablets, emulsions and gels.
Silicon dioxide is included in the pharmacopoeias of Denmark, Hungary and Austria.
Active and side functions of this dietary supplement
This product has a number of active and side functions. Colloidal silicon dioxide in the form of loose powder is used as an effective enterosorbent. This substance binds and removes toxins from the body, including s alts of heavy metals. Such an additive is available as part of suspensions that alleviate the condition of the body with flatulence. Silicon dioxide enhances the effect of the active substance, stabilizes the emulsion.
Due to its adsorbing properties, the substance in the form of an ointment or gel is applied externally to treat purulent wounds, treat mastitis, phlegmon and other diseases. The tool has an antimicrobial effect, is easily distributed over the skin surface, does not cause irritation and allergies. Used as a thickener in petroleum jelly, fish oil, cetyl alcohol and glycerin.
This additive is not ignored by cosmetics manufacturers. The substance is mainly used in the composition of toothpastes as a completely safe whitening abrasive. Silicon dioxide does not destroy tooth enamel, it is safe if a person accidentally swallows it. As an auxiliary substance, it is used in the production of scrubs, powders, lotions and creams for different skin types. Thanks to Aerosil, skin irregularities are masked, oily sheen is eliminated, fine wrinkles are smoothed out. Effectively cleanses the dermis and eliminates dead cells. Silicon dioxide cannot conduct electric current, is one of the best dielectrics (if there are no impurities in the composition).
The effect of silicon dioxide on the human body
This supplementcan be considered safe for the body. Silicon dioxide is found in human plasma and blood. The substance, coming from outside, is not broken down in the digestive system, is not absorbed, and naturally comes out in almost unchanged form. What is the harm from silicon dioxide? Only inhalation of silica powder is dangerous. Small particles can cause lung silicosis, granulomatous rash, and other serious illnesses.
Main producers
High-frequency silicon dioxide is produced in the Bryansk region by the Ecosilicon company. The main foreign suppliers are as follows: Gomel Chemical Plant in the Republic of Belarus, RHONE-POULENC in France, Evonik Industries in Germany. At the beginning of the last century, a physiologist from Germany, W. Kuehne, provided evidence that silicon compounds clean and restore blood vessels, and prevent the development of atherosclerosis. His conclusions were later supported by a large number of studies. Silicon dioxide structures water molecules, giving them the ability to expel pathogens, foreign compounds and toxins. Silicon water gets a special fresh taste and bactericidal characteristics thanks to the substance.
We examined the effect of silicon dioxide on the human body.
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