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The antiseptic and astringent properties of lime have been known to mankind for a very long time. Once upon a time, with the help of lime cement, the Chinese built their Great Wall. Today it is used in construction, agriculture, trees are processed to protect the bark. But few people know that it can also be in food products under the guise of E526 additive. Why is it added to juices and baby food?
The main properties of the additive
What manufacturers call E526 is popularly ordinary slaked lime. It turns out that the scope of its application goes far beyond the usual spring whitewashing of trees. It is used as a fertilizer, in the manufacture of silicate concrete, in the tanning of leather, and in the disinfection of root canals in dentistry. It is obtained in the only way familiar not only to chemists – by combining with water. To do this, take calcium oxide (quicklime) and “extinguish” it with water. In this case, a chemical reaction takes place with the release of energy and steam, a new substance is formed – calcium hydroxide (slaked). This new compound is E526 or fluff.
In appearance, it is a white dense powder, without a pronounced odor, burning in taste. In water, it dissolves poorly, while the higher the temperature of the liquid, the slower the reaction. Does not dissolve in alcohols. In chemistry, this substance is classified as a base, so a solution with it has an alkaline reaction. Neutralizes acids, releasing calcium salts and water. Like other bases, lime mortar interacts with carbon dioxide (CO2). Due to this quality, such a substance is sometimes used to search for carbon dioxide leaks, reacting with CO2 lime darkens.
The bulk of the produced E526 is obtained in the laboratory. In addition, the substance is found in mineral form in volcanic, metamorphic and deep rocks. Most often in the form of a rare mineral – portlandite. Due to its natural origin, lime is considered a completely natural product, even if it is obtained in a laboratory. As we have already figured out, quicklime is used as a raw material for it, and it, in turn, is also obtained from minerals (marble, chalk, limestone).
Also, the alkaline reaction of the lime solution provides an excellent antiseptic effect, sterilizes surfaces and kills pathogens. That is why slaked lime has become so popular with gardeners (for the prevention of bark diseases), dentists (for temporary dental fillings). When interacting with carbon dioxide, it hardens, so it was used as a connecting and building material. However, today lime is rarely used in this role, since structures made from such a component easily absorb moisture and are amenable to the formation of fungus.
Use of calcium hydroxide
The physical and chemical properties of this substance have found their application in many industries. The bulk of the calcium hydroxide produced today is consumed by the construction industry, although this is more due to the scale of the use of materials, and not the popularity of the substance itself. At the same time, it is used both at home during construction or painting, and on extensive construction sites.
Calcium hydroxide powder is widely used in the following fields:
- For coloring rooms as an affordable and easy-to-use material.
- As a component in mortar. Today, it is rarely used in this area due to the accumulation of moisture; cement has practically replaced slaked lime as a binder.
- To create silicate concrete. This material is much more practical than the previous mortar, as it is processed differently, hardens faster and resists mold better.
- During the tanning process, milk of lime is used.
- In the chemical industry for the neutralization of acids, the production of organic acids, etc.
- For sterilization of dental canals and prevention of periodontitis in dentistry.
- For the treatment of acid burns on the body.
- As a substance that reduces soil resistance, lime is used in electrical engineering.
- In the oil refining industry, it is used as an additive to oils.
- In the metallurgical industry (as an acid neutralizer in the treated gas stream).
At home, in addition to whitewashing and construction, this powder can be useful in the garden, in the garden, for animals. For example, liming the earth improves its structure, increases looseness, and reduces acidity. Processing fruit and ornamental trees protects the plant from parasites, fungi, and mold. In areas with an open reservoir of fluff, the prevention of ichthyophthyroidism is carried out. Whitewashing rooms where pets live ensures disinfection. So, in chicken coops, sheds and other livestock buildings, lime destroys fleas, infectious agents, bedbugs, carriers of avian cholera and glanders.
Also, a small amount of this powder is added to the hayloft, the fiber softens under the action of alkali and the straw is easier to digest. To store eggs, the shell is treated with dry lime, thus the surface is disinfected, the shell itself is strengthened, and the eggs can lie longer without spoilage.
Hydrated lime in food
In food production, fluff is used under the name E526. Here it performs the same functions as in other areas. In the food industry, it acts as:
- as a substance against clumping and caking;
- acidity regulator (pH);
- as an additional source of calcium.
Most often, E526 can be found in berry and fruit juices, chocolate products, butter, marinades and pickles. It can also be added to breakfast cereals, muesli and granola. To soften hard water, this food additive is used in breweries, wineries, in the production of other alcoholic beverages that are fermented. To normalize the pH balance, this component is included in the composition of baby foods and mixtures intended for babies under the age of 3 years.
The use of fluff in food production allows enterprises to give goods the desired shape and appearance, improve taste, and extend shelf life. To date, in the EU countries, Ukraine and Russia, manufacturers are officially allowed to use this food supplement, since it is considered safe for human health. However, most enterprises prefer to replace it, since slaked lime powder is prone to caking and lumping.
Is the supplement harmful to the body?
For oral use, E526 is considered safe if it acts as an additive. That is, this does not mean that pure slaked lime can be tasted, it is safe only in negligible amounts. Due to the composition of the nutritional supplement itself, manufacturers who use it may sometimes label their products as “fortified with Ca”. However, a meager proportion of calcium hydroxide in the product cannot act as an additional source of useful components.
For the same reason, you should not be afraid if the purchased product contains the E526 acidity regulator, there is no benefit from it, but there is no health risk either. Harm from this additive can be obtained in domestic conditions: by inhalation of a large amount of lime dust, contact with the mucous membrane of the eyes, accidental ingestion.
What to do in case of poisoning
If slaked lime gets into the eyes, rinse them well with plenty of clean water. It is better after this incident to contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible, since alkali can lead to blindness. If E526 is swallowed, the victim needs to drink 1-2 glasses of milk and urgently call an ambulance, since lime can leave burns on the mucous membrane in the esophagus. You need to work with fluff carefully, wear gloves, cover your mouth and nose, protect your eyes. It is best to keep it away from children. Lime poisoning with products with E526 is hardly possible for the same reason: the additive is used very rarely and in very small quantities, which is not dangerous to health. And, in order to completely avoid the risk, it is worth giving preference to goods without “E-shek”.