Carbon dioxide appears on the back of the label quite often. In the classification of food additives, it goes under the faceless abbreviation E290, but technologists know that it is used to cool or freeze various food products. Hence formed his belonging to the group of preservatives.
Distinctive features
A relatively simple formula has the same simple physical characteristics without special features. We are talking about the fact that the substance is a gaseous set of components, which has a slightly sour taste and the same aroma. The density of the preservative is almost one and a half times higher than that of air. However, it can be found in the natural environment. A significant mass of such a gas mixture is in the atmosphere. In addition to the fact that dioxide is found in the air, geologists often find it in small proportions in some minerals when they are studied in the laboratory.
Water for a substance is considered one of the cheapest and most productive solvents. From a chemical point of view, such a tandem forms carbonic acid. Its concentration directly depends on how much water was added.
The industrial production of the cooler involves the use of limestone firing technology. This is facilitated by the combustion of coke at a sustained temperature regime. Sometimes chemists use alcohol to obtain the desired remedy, where the basis for isolation is the fermentation reaction. This once again confirms that the sources of obtaining the additive are different, but the physical characteristics remain unchanged.
Areas of use
According to food regulations, the use of carbon dioxide is allowed for eight types of drinks. Its content is allowed in other food produced at food plants. In the latter case, the solution must be dosed so that the amount meets the approved standards. Otherwise, its effect on the body will result in a deterioration in well-being due to the maximum concentration.
Most often, the mention of E290 is found on packages of ready-to-eat confectionery. Bakers use it as a baking powder. If you turn the composition into a liquid version, you will be able to create a full-fledged soda.
In addition to the food industry, organic matter is found in fire extinguishers and during wire welding. Not without it, and pneumatic weapons, as well as engines of aircraft models. In the latter case, the mixture acts as a full-fledged source of energy.
The most common application of the additive is still the refrigeration industry, where carbon dioxide in solid form helps to maintain a lower temperature regime. If you follow the safety rules, then this technique will not pose a danger to both others and the goods in the freezer.
In rare cases, after the purification of the constituents, the dioxide is used for fermentation in winemaking processes.
But this method is peculiar only to wines for mass production from the middle price segment. The fruit juice saturation mechanism works on a similar principle, which helps to extend the shelf life of the finished product.
What should be feared?
Despite being allowed to be present in many areas of the food industry and beyond, E290 is still a dubious ingredient in terms of health effects.
The stumbling block is the accelerated process of absorption of various substances into the gastric mucosa. Especially dangerous here is the case when the consumer drinks alcoholic beverages along with carbon dioxide. In such a situation, intoxication usually comes several times faster at a reduced dose compared to other types of alcohol.
Another danger is long-term breathing of dioxide, the concentration of which exceeds 3%. This applies for the most part to employees of thematic enterprises, who should not ignore the rules of individual protection in order to preserve their own health.