Silicon dioxide (silica, SiO2; lat. Silica) - silicon oxide (IV). Colorless crystals with a melting point + 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, helps tissues recover faster. Academician V.I. Vernadsky rightly argued that no organism can develop and exist without silicon. In its natural form, silicon does not occur in nature. It is present in the form of dioxide in rock crystal, jasper, topaz, amethyst, agate and other valuable minerals. Silicon dioxide in the food industry is used as a multifunctional safe food supplement.
Name of additive
Crystalline silicon dioxide is the common name for an additive. Silicon Dioxide is an international option. In a digital European system, the code is written as E551. Is a food supplement dangerous or not? Let's figure it out.
Its synonyms: amorphous silicon dioxide; silica; IV silica; white soot; aerosil; silicon anhydride; German Silizium dioxid; silica gel; French dioxyde de silizium.
Type of substance
An additive such as E 551 is among the emulsifiers. In the food industry they are used constantly.
Silicon dioxide is a natural substance. It exists in its natural form in the form of quartz, that 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. The 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 significant.
Properties and packaging
The standard color of the substance is bluish white or white. Its composition is determined by such a chemical formula as SiO 2 . Silicon dioxide is externally a fine granule or powder. There is no smell. Insoluble in ethanol and water, soluble in hydrofluoric acid. The active substance content is 99%. There is no taste. The density of the substance is 2.2 g per cm 3 . Other properties: possesses high strength and hardness, thermostable, strong adsorbent, resistant to acids.
This additive is most often packaged in bags made of thick polyethylene or kraft paper. It is allowed to pack products in containers made of polypropylene, if there is an additional insert made of polyethylene.
Let us consider in more detail the use of silicon dioxide.
Production for the food industry
SiO₂ in the food industry is used 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 SiliconDioxide, or, to put it another way, amorphous silica, "white soot." The production of the additive is carried out at special plants 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 also 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. It is not harmful to health and safe to use.
Areas of application of the substance
E 551 is included in the list of approved food products. 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, salt and its analogues. Normalizes the texture of sliced or grated cheeses. Converts a liquid into a loose mass, preserves and enhances the smell (snacks for beer, chips, crackers, etc.). It neutralizes the increased amount of alkali in alcoholic beverages (including cognac), stabilizes acidity, brightens due to the adsorption of proteins that cloud the beer, the drink, and increases its stability. An emulsifier is used to treat the surface of sugar confectionery (excluding chocolate). Due to this, sticking, brittleness is prevented, the shelf life is extended.
This supplement can be used in all countries. Its amount should not be higher than 30 g per kg of finished product.
Emulsifier E 551 in a significant amount goes to the needs of medicine and pharmaceuticals.
Under the name Aerosil, this substance is usually used as a highly dispersed active filler in ointments, tablets, emulsions and gels.
Silicon dioxide is included in the pharmacopoeia of Denmark, Hungary and Austria.
Active and side functions of this food 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 salts of heavy metals. Such an additive is available in suspensions, which facilitate the condition of the body during flatulence. Silicon dioxide enhances the influence of the active substance, stabilizes the emulsion.
Due to the adsorbing properties, the substance in the form of an ointment or gel is used externally for the treatment of purulent wounds, therapy of mastitis, phlegmon and other diseases. The product has an antimicrobial effect, is easily distributed on the skin surface, does not cause irritation and allergies. It is used as a thickener in vaseline, fish oil, cetyl alcohol and glycerin.
This supplement is not ignored by manufacturers of cosmetics. The substance is mainly used in 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 various skin types. Thanks to Aerosil, skin irregularities are masked, oily sheen is eliminated, small wrinkles are smoothed out. Effectively cleanses the dermis and eliminates dead cells. Silicon dioxide can not conduct electric current, is one of the best dielectrics (if there are no foreign impurities in the composition).
The effect of silicon dioxide on the human body
This supplement can be considered safe for the body. Silicon dioxide is found in plasma and human blood. The substance, coming from the outside, does not break down in the digestive system, is not absorbed, naturally leaves almost unchanged. What is the harm from silica? Only inhalation of silica powder is dangerous. Small particles can develop lung silicosis, granulomatous rash, and other serious illnesses.
Major manufacturers
High frequency silicon dioxide is produced in the Bryansk region by Ecosilicon. The main foreign suppliers are as follows: in the Republic of Belarus, the Gomel Chemical Plant, in France RHONE-POULENC, in Germany Evonik Industries. At the beginning of the last century, German physiologist V. Kühne cited evidence that silicon compounds cleanse and restore blood vessels and interfere with the development of atherosclerosis. His findings were later supported by a large number of studies. Silicon dioxide structures water molecules, giving them the ability to eject pathogenic microorganisms, foreign compounds and toxins. Due to the substance, silicon water receives a special fresh taste and bactericidal characteristics.
We examined the effect of silicon dioxide on the human body.