Content
Food additive E450 belongs to pyrophosphates. These are sodium salts and ester compounds of pyrophosphate acid. The substance is a stabilizer, it is classified as a medium hazard agent. The additive is used mainly in the food industry.
What is E450 Food Supplement
The compound produced under the code E450 is a white powder. It is tasteless, but the presence of a sour taste, with a specific odor, is allowed. The main purpose of the preservative is to increase the volume of muscle tissue and increase the yield of finished products.
The chemical formula of sodium pyrophosphates is Na2P2O7. In combination with water, crystalline hydrates are formed from them.
This food supplement can be used as:
- stabilizer;
- acidity regulator;
- humectant;
- color fixer;
- an antioxidant booster.
Also E450 is used as a leavening agent. Properties depend on the type of additive.
8 types of pyrophosphates are used in industry. They are distinguished by the index, which is added after the E450 code (the index is formed from a combination of the letters "i" and "v").
What is disodium pyrophosphate (E450i) made of
E450i is an emulsifying additive. Index "i" stands for Roman numeral 1 and is the serial number of the compound. According to its chemical properties, sodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate is an inorganic compound with the formula Na2H2P2O7. It is a sodium salt with pyrophosphoric acid.
It is made from sodium carbonate mixed with phosphoric acid. The resulting sodium phosphate is heated to 220 ° C. After completion of the reaction, a finished additive is obtained.
For the manufacture of other types of E450, other methods can be used. These substances do not occur in nature; various chemical reactions are used to obtain them.
The benefits and harms of sodium pyrophosphate
Food additive E450 is a product of the chemical industry, there is no benefit from its use. But if the recommended doses are followed, it is harmless for most people.
If you consume products, in the manufacture of which the recommended norms for the addition of E450 were not observed, then you may face an overdose of this substance. The problem is that not all manufacturers conscientiously indicate the content of preservatives in their products.
Food supplement E450 can have the following effect on the body:
- increased blood cholesterol levels;
- disruption of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
- deterioration in the absorption of calcium;
- violation of calcium-phosphorus balance;
- the development of osteoporosis;
- accumulation of calcium and phosphorus in the organs of the urinary system;
- circulatory disorders due to the formation of plaques in the vessels.
Caution when eating food made with the addition of E450 should be observed by those people who have a large amount of phosphorus-containing foods in their diet.
E450i food additive is dangerous or not
Sodium acid pyrophosphate is included in the list of additives that can be used in the food industry. In accordance with the Decree issued by the chief sanitary doctor of the Russian Federation, E450i can be added to products intended for children under 3 years of age. For example, in finished confectionery products, the permissible content is 0.5 g per 1 kg.
In accordance with the accepted classification, the substance is classified as a medium hazard preservative. For adults, the maximum permissible daily intake is 70 mg per 1 kg of body weight. Despite the relative safety, remember that overuse of the supplement can lead to negative effects on the body.
Products containing E450 are considered non-hazardous, provided that the manufacturer adds a preservative in acceptable quantities. The permitted dosage is from 1 to 9 g per 1 kg of finished product. For different branches of the food industry, their own standards have been established, depending on the purpose for which this substance is added.
Where and why add preservative E450
The E450 food additive is actively used in the food industry. It improves organoleptic indicators, the consistency of the finished product. It is used in the processing of meat, fish, and the manufacture of dairy products. Contains pyrophosphates in sausages, canned meat and fish, young cheeses, processed curds.
A preservative is added during the heat treatment of raw materials; it causes swelling of proteins. Thanks to this, the appearance of the products becomes more attractive: due to moisture retention, the structure, juiciness and yield of the finished product are improved. Also, the E450 additive has an antioxidant effect. When added, the shelf life of the product increases, since it slows down the fat oxidation process.
Sodium pyrophosphate in cosmetics
But E450 is used not only in the food industry, the compound is also used in other industries. The additive can be included in the composition of cosmetics, detergents, insecticides.
In the cosmetic industry, E450 acts as a buffer. The additive is designed to maintain the pH level. A product is used to create shampoos and detergents with antibacterial action.
Pyrophosphates are also added to the toothpaste. They have a whitening effect, help remove plaque and prevent plaque re-formation.
Food additive E450 in the food industry
The substance is used not only in the meat processing and fish industries. It is used in the manufacture of:
- syrups, confectionery;
- vegetable cream;
- spreads;
- sauces;
- dairy desserts;
- soft drinks;
- berry ice cream;
- egg, milk and baking powders;
- frozen potatoes;
- protein shakes.
In the confectionery industry, the agent is used as a humectant. In the production of homogenized products, E450 acts as a means that is responsible for the texture of the products; when added, it is possible to obtain a homogeneous mass. In protein shakes, the agent acts as an emulsifier, and in soft drinks, it acts as an acidity regulator.
The food additive is even included in the composition of bread products, pasta, to improve the structure of the dough.
Conclusion
Food additive E450 is used in many branches of the food industry.Pyrophosphates are not dangerous if they are not ingested in excessive amounts. But the frequent use of canned food, sausages, packaged broths, purchased confectionery products leads to the accumulation of these substances. As a result, the work of the digestive organs is disrupted, there are problems with the absorption of calcium.
