Contents
A food preservative labeled E297 or fumaric acid, having the properties of an acidifier, can easily replace citric and tartaric acids in the food industry. Despite the synthetic origin, this substance does not cause negative consequences for the human body, it is absolutely safe and non-toxic.
General description of food additive E297
In wildlife, this substance is found in the medicinal annual plant Dymyanka pharmacy. However, in the modern world, it is mined by synthetic chemical means.
Other names for the food preservative are Fumaric acid and E297.
In appearance, the food additive E297 resembles a friable white crystalline powder. Sometimes completely colorless. Fumaric acid has a sour fruity taste, odorless. This substance is very poorly soluble in water. Molecular formula of the chemical: C4H4O4.
Fumaric acid is very common in wildlife, as it is synthesized naturally during the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle). This process takes place in almost all living organisms: humans, some plants and animals, various microorganisms. A lot of this substance is found in lichen, tubular fungi and Icelandic moss. Human skin cells can also produce such a product when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
Previously, such an additive was obtained during the synthesis of succinic acid, at the moment the source for it is the most accessible maleic acid, which is obtained by hydrolysis of maleic anhydride.
The use of fumaric acid in various areas of life
It has been allowed to use this substance in food production since 1946. This permission is applicable to all EU countries and the Russian Federation, but in Ukraine such a food additive is prohibited.
With the help of such a food preservative and acidity regulator, candies and various sweet drinks, pastries are produced. It is in great demand in the manufacture of chewing gum, citrus marmalade, various jellies and instant tea. Food additive E236 is often used as a substitute for citric and tartaric acids.
This product is used to produce malic and succinic acids, and is also used as a component for the production of personal care products.
This substance is also used in the pharmacological industry, where it is added to various medications intended for the treatment of psoriasis.
Useful and dangerous properties of fumaric acid
The benefits of such an acid are quite large, due to its participation in almost all vital processes in the body, namely in respiratory and metabolic ones.
This substance is completely absorbed by the human body and excreted naturally.
In addition, the benefit of this product is that it is actively used in medicine in the treatment of skin diseases: eczema, psoriasis and others.
This food supplement is recognized as absolutely non-toxic and safe, however, some countries still stipulate the fact that the maximum possible daily dose of such a substance should not exceed six milligrams per kilogram of weight. The fact is that studies have shown some disorders in the liver in those who regularly used foods containing the useful preservative E297 in their diet.
In conclusion
Fumaric acid, marked in the classifier of food additives with the mark E297, is of great value to the human body, as it participates in respiratory processes and largely affects metabolism. This food additive is completely harmless and approved for use in the food industry in almost all countries of the world community, despite the fact that it is synthetically derived. However, it is still not worth abusing such a product, as this can cause liver dysfunction.