Cakes 

What is sodium nitrite. E250 (sodium nitrite) - harm and benefit of a food additive for the human body

Sodium nitrite Natrii nitris

NaN0 2 M.m. 69,00

Industrial production sodium nitrite is associated with the production of nitric acid. Nitric oxide formed during the production of nitric acid is converted into dioxide NO2, which is absorbed by alkali or sodium carbonate to form nitrates and nitrites. The separation of the latter is carried out by fractional recrystallization.


After separation of the mixture, sodium nitrate can be used to obtain sodium nitrite by reduction with lead.


After appropriate purification of the obtained sodium nitrite from possible impurities (chlorides, sulfates, heavy metals, arsenic) and bringing them to the permissible limit, the drug is allowed for use.

Sodium nitrite is white transparent crystals with a faint yellowish tint. It dissolves easily in water, forming solutions of a slightly alkaline reaction; dissolves in alcohol is difficult; hygroscopic.

The oxidized TM state of nitrogen in sodium nitrite is +3, i.e., it is intermediate between the lowest and highest (+5) possible values ​​of the nitrogen oxidation state. As a result of this sodium, nitrite exhibits a redox ability.

The redox properties of sodium nitrite can be seen in the following reactions.


In this reaction, sodium nitrite acts as a reducing agent.

In the reaction with bromide and iodide salts in an acidic sodium environment, nitrite exhibits oxidizing properties (oxidizes iodide ion to molecular iodine).


These reactions can be used to identify a drug, although they are not pharmacopoeial.

To confirm the authenticity of sodium nitrite, GF X recommends using the reaction for the detection of sodium ion (see identification reactions for sodium salts of hydrohalic acids) and nitrite ion. The latter is confirmed:

a) by reaction with diphenylamine in an acidic medium with the formation of an organic dye of bright blue color (see the reaction for the determination of impurities in distilled water);

b) the reaction with antipyrine in an acidic medium with the formation of nitrosoantipyrine, which gives the solution an emerald green. staining.


c) by the release of red-brown vapors of nitrogen oxide when adding dilute sulfuric acid to the sodium nitrite solution.


The quantitative content of the drug is determined by the iodine-metric method. Sodium nitrite is oxidized by permangan-

the volume of potassium, the excess of which is determined iodometrically (pharmacopoeial method).


Sodium nitrite is used orally or subcutaneously as a vasodilator for angina pectoris, migraine. For subcutaneous injections, it is usually used in ampoules in the form of a 1% solution.

Sodium nitrite is also used in cyanide poisoning. In this case, it is administered intravenously in the form of a 1% solution up to 5 ml. Nitrite is highly toxic if used in large quantities.

The drug should be stored with caution; it is hygroscopic and easily oxidized in air and light, therefore it should be stored in well-sealed orange glass jars in a dry, dark place. List B.

Name: Sodium nitrite, E250
Other names: E250, E-250, Ang: E250, E-250, Sodium nitrite
Group: Food additive
Type: Preservatives
Effect on the body: affects blood pressure
Allowed in countries: Russia, Ukraine, EU

Characteristic:
E250 is a sodium salt from nitrous acid. The food additive is used as a color improver and fixative, as well as a preservative in Food Industry adding to fish and meat products. In appearance, potassium nitrite resembles a white or slightly yellowish crystalline hygroscopic powder. The substance is very soluble in water and hygroscopic. Being in the fresh air, it slowly oxidizes to a substance called "potassium nitrate KNO3". Chemical formula - KNO2. The natural source of nitrite formation is biological formation from nitrates, which remain in various food products... Potassium nitrite is also found in human saliva. Get E-250 from the reduced straightened mass of potassium nitrate C using lead; passing sulfur dioxide through a heated mixture of potassium nitrate and calcium oxide. The impurities are nitrates. E250 is approved for use in the Russian Federation.

Application:
In the Russian Federation, E250 is used as food additive in the following situations: as an antioxidant that provides a fish or meat product with a "natural color"; an antibacterial drug that inhibits the growth of the causative agent of botulism. Sodium nitrite is used in the production of smoked meats and sausages to give the characteristic pink-red color. But nitrites are always dangerous to human health if used in large quantities. The European Union approved the use of sodium nitrite only as an additive to salt, but not more than 0.6%. Sodium nitrite is also used in many areas: construction (additive for concrete), pulp and paper, textile, medical, veterinary, metallurgical, chemical (diazo dyes, nitro compounds and other organic compounds) and many branches of the Russian industry.

Effect on the human body:
E250 has vasodilator, laxative and bronchodilator properties, and also relieves intestinal spasms. Sodium nitrite is used in the treatment of many diseases: sickle-shaped anemia, cyanide poisoning, heart attack, cardiac ischemia, cerebral aneurysms and pulmonary hypertension in children. The food additive has general toxic and carcinogenic properties. Eating meat and fish products that have been cooked with sodium nitrate can lead to cancer. Eating a lot of these foods can contribute to bowel and lung cancer.

Sodium nitrite, also known as E250, is a food additive that acts as a preservative and color fixer for food production. Chemical formula NNaO 2.

Sodium nitrite is a nitrous acid salt produced from oxides through chemical reactions. Sodium nitrite usually looks like a white and slightly yellowish powder or small crystals, odorless, slightly sour in taste (calorizator). It has good hygroscopicity and dissolves quickly in water.

Benefits of Sodium Nitrite

Sodium nitrite has the properties of a strong antibiotic agent that can destroy the causative agents of many dangerous diseases, such as botulism.

The harm of sodium nitrite

Sodium nitrite is recognized as a general poisonous agent, including for mammals (50% of rats die at a dose of 180 milligrams per kilogram of weight), which is highly toxic and carcinogenic; an overdose of the substance leads to serious poisoning, often leading to death.

The consumption of sodium nitrite can provoke a decrease in muscle tone and a sharp drop in blood pressure. The studies revealed the formation of the carcinogen N-nitrosamine during the reaction of sodium nitrite with amino acids when they are heated, which means the potential for the formation of cancerous changes when eating products that have undergone heat treatment in the presence of sodium nitrite.

Recent studies have found a link between eating similar foods and bowel cancer. A link was also found between the frequent consumption of meat with a content of nitrites and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In its natural environment, fresh meat acquires a gray color after a few hours, which occurs due to a reaction with air. To avoid the unappetizing gray tinge in meat and sausage products, the food industry makes extensive use of the E250 color fixative additive.

Therefore, almost all meat and sausage products owe their pink color to E250. But sodium nitrite affects not only the color of food, but is also the so-called antibacterial agent protecting food from the growth of bacteria and microbes.

Application of Е250 in other industries

Sodium nitrite is used not only in the food industry, but also:

  • In medicine, the vasodilating property of sodium nitrite is used, it is used as a laxative and bronchodilator, it neutralizes intestinal spasms and acts as an antidote for cyanide poisoning,
  • In construction - as an antifreeze additive to concrete,
  • In the textile industry - in the dyeing of fibers,
  • In photography - as an antioxidant and reagent,
  • In the production of rubber and dyes.

Norms and dosages of using sodium nitrite

The norms for the use of Sodium Nitrite are strict and must be strictly followed. In the countries of the European Union, E250 is allowed to be used only as an additive to and not more than 0.6%. In the event of an increase in the permissible dosage, sodium nitrite can cause significant harm to the human body.

E250 use in Russia

On the territory of Russia and Ukraine, there is a list of additives that are allowed for use. E250 Sodium nitrite is included in this list, subject to the established dosages.

The food additive also possesses similar properties. Sodium nitrite complies with GOST 4197-74 or TU 6-09-590-75 (grade OSCH 4-7-3). Sodium nitrite in the form of a powder according to GOST 19906-74 or an aqueous solution is used as an antifreeze additive to concrete in the production of building products and structures, as an inhibitor of atmospheric corrosion, in organic synthesis and for other purposes in chemical, metallurgical, medical, pulp and paper and other industries.

general characteristics

E250 is the sodium salt of nitrous acid. It looks like a white-yellow powder of fine crystalline structure. It has no smell, taste is bitter-sour. It dissolves well in water, worse in alcohol. Differs in high fire hazard. If there are flammable substances near sodium nitrite, it can cause spontaneous combustion and explosion.

In air, E250 slowly oxidizes and forms sodium nitrate. To obtain a substance, sodium hydroxide is exposed to a mixture of nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide. Also, a reaction is carried out between sodium compounds and compounds with a nitrite ion. The precipitate formed is then treated by evaporation and cooling.

Appointment

V food production Sodium nitrite serves as a color fixer and preservative, protecting foods from harmful bacteria and extending shelf life. In medicine, E250 is added to the composition of anti-asthma, vasodilators, antidotes, laxatives and drugs against intestinal spasms.

Impact on the health of the human body: benefits and harms

Before consuming products containing the E250 additive, you need to find out how dangerous or useful it is for the body.

E250 is highly toxic. The dose of sodium nitrite, which is fatal, is 2 g. The food additive is not used in its pure form, since it is dangerous for the body. It is diluted with edible salt.

Excessive consumption of sodium nitrite leads to the following negative consequences:

  • disruption of the nervous system;
  • lung disease;
  • poisoning of the body;
  • liver damage;
  • skin lesions;
  • lowering blood pressure;
  • oxygen starvation;
  • swelling of the limbs.

Sodium nitrite itself is not carcinogenic. But, getting into the body or undergoing heat treatment, it can form a bond with amines that are present in foods and the body. The result of this reaction is the formation of N-nitrosamine, which is known to cause cancer. Vitamins A, C and E are capable of weakening the effect of the carcinogen.

Scientific publications of the USA indicate that, subject to the established dosages and rules of application, E250 does not cause harm to health. It exhibits strong antibiotic properties, destroys harmful bacteria and pathogens of dangerous diseases. The substance eliminates intestinal spasms, dilates blood vessels and bronchi, helps with many diseases (heart ischemia, brain aneurysms, anemia, etc.).

Application

E250 protects food from pathogenic microbes. Most often, a preservative is added to meat and sausages... It effectively fights against anaerobic bacteria, especially botulism bacillus.


Sodium nitrite is responsible for preserving the beautiful pink color of sausages and meat products. It fixes the desired shade and prevents the loss of appetizing aroma.

The additive has found wide application in the following industries:

  • medicine (as part of laxatives, bronchodilators, vasodilators, in antidotes for cyanide poisoning);
  • construction (added to concrete to protect against corrosion and frost);
  • chemical production (as part of rubber);
  • textile industry (when dyeing fibers and drawing patterns on fabrics);
  • photography industry (added to antioxidants and reagents).

Table. The norm for the content of food additive E250 sodium nitrite in products according to SanPiN 2.3.2.1293-03 of 05/26/2008

Legislation

Russia, Ukraine, Belarus included E250 in the list of approved food additives. In European countries, the use of sodium nitrite is allowed only in the composition of edible salt. More information about the supplement is described in the video below.

From this word comes the word "botulism". What is botulism, no need to explain? The sausage cooking process creates ideal conditions for the development of harmful bacteria and the release of toxin by it - warm, humid and no oxygen.

2. In Asia, and later in the Mediterranean region, sausages began to undergo prolonged fermentation, while due to the formation of lactic acid, the development Clostridium botulinum holding back. Sodium nitrite (E250), which is now found in almost all sausages, reliably prevents the development of this bacterium, as well as many other pathogens.

3. Over the past more than half a century, vegetables, fish and environmentally friendly, without food additives, homework(mainly fungi) have been responsible for many more cases of botulism than beef, pork and chicken and all kinds of industrial meat products.

4. Nitrite, interacting with myoglobin (meat protein) gives meat products characteristic red color.

5. Sodium nitrite can interact with amines (which are always produced in small amounts in meat) to form nitrosamines, which are highly carcinogenic. By itself, sodium nitrite is very toxic (4 g can be fatal).

6. The addition of ascorbic or isoascorbic acid almost completely prevents the formation of nitrosamines in meat. Today, all sausage is made with the addition of ascorbic (E300) or isoascorbic acid (sodium erythorbate E316, aka sodium isoascorbate).

7. Legally permissible (safe) content of nitrites in sausages is 50 mg / kg of sausages. Wherein " The maximum level of potassium and sodium nitrite in food means the residual amount that can be found in food purchased from the retail network.". Usually 0.01-0.07 g / kg is added, depending on the type of product. A significant part of the nitrite disappears during the preparation of the sausage, and is often not analytically detected in the finished product at all.

8. 7.1 g per 100 kg of sausage is the nitrite content in GOST Doktorskaya. This is 40% more than today is permissible under the law (excluding the postscript on the method of determination mentioned in clause 7).

9. For those who are afraid to eat sausage due to the fact that it contains nitrites, it is recommended to stop consuming spinach, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower and other vegetables. In these products, nature has provided for the content of nitrite more than the authorities are allowed to add to the sausage. In 1 kg of spinach, nature has laid as much nitrite as is enough to make 50 kg of modern sausage (or 35 kg of the same doctor's).

10. Beet juice promotes the supply of oxygen to tissues because it contains a lot of ... nitrites. I am not lying .

11. In industry, sodium nitrite is widely used for the synthesis of diazo dyes, in the production of explosives and many other places. This does not prevent it from being an E250 food additive, and speaks of the importance of this substance for the industry.

12. Botulism toxin is used in cosmetology to smooth mimic wrinkles.

13. Type in Google, and you will read horror stories about how we are poisoned by damned chemists.