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The use of synthetic food additives often causes serious indignation among supporters of a healthy diet, some scientists, biologists and physicians. There are organizations and associations that oppose the use of most chemicals that manufacturers today manage to add to almost any food: for children and adults, dietary and high-calorie, plant and animal origin. However, when it comes to such a preservative as orthophenylphenol, the concern is quite justified. No wonder today its use in the food industry of most states is prohibited.
Characteristic features of the substance, its properties and methods of obtaining
Orthophenylphenol is an organic compound that consists of two benzene rings and phenolic hydroxyl groups. Outwardly, it looks like a white substance of a crystalline structure. The crystals are small and may have a different shape. At temperatures of 57 degrees Celsius and above, orthophenylphenol begins to melt. The substance does not dissolve in water, while it has good solubility in alcohols, ethers, benzene, chloroform, acetone and petroleum alcohol.
In fact, the additive o-phenylphenol, which has the code designation E231, is a fungicide and preservative, with a powerful level of impact. The substance negatively affects pathogenic microflora (bacteria, microbes, molds and fungus), inhibiting its growth and reproduction, thereby prolonging the “life” of food products and some other goods.
There are several ways to produce the E231 additive, all of them are synthetic. The substance does not occur in nature, it is completely synthesized in the laboratory. In the production of phenol, orthophenylphenol is a by-product of the reactions carried out. A special extraction technology for E231 looks like this: cyclohexanone is heated to a temperature of 120 degrees Celsius, resulting in the formation of cyclohexenylcyclohexanone. The resulting substance is subjected to catalytic isomerization of diphenyl ether, and then to catalytic dehydrogenation. As a result of the reaction, the additive E231 is formed. The presence of impurities of biphenyl oxide, biphenyl, phenol is permissible in it.
Application in various industries
Since the ingestion of orthophenylphenol poses a significant threat to human health, its addition to food products is considered unacceptable, and is banned almost everywhere in the world. The only food substance allowed to come into contact with is the rind or skin of various exotic fruits and vegetables, which will have to undergo a lengthy transportation process. Most often, citrus fruits are exposed to the additive, thus protecting them from rotting and spoilage before they hit store shelves.
In addition, the E231 additive is used:
- for the processing of packaging in which fruits and vegetables will be transported: in this case, if only containers are processed, the percentage of harmful elements entering the fruit pulp (and, as a result, into the human body) is significantly lower than when directly sprayed on vegetables and fruits;
- as a preservative in sprays and deodorants;
- as a means for disinfection of public places (hospitals, hairdressers);
- as a reagent in the chemical industry;
- as part of seed treatment products to preserve them from exposure to harmful microorganisms;
- as an antiseptic when tanning natural leather;
- as a color-forming component in some film developing fluids;
- as an element in the production of chemical rubber, resins and other types of fungicides.
How the supplement can affect the human body
The results of long-term studies and experiments using laboratory animals (mice and rats) showed very unambiguous results of the use of the substance in food. Phenol in the composition of orthophenylphenol is a known powerful carcinogen, which, when accumulated in the body, provokes the growth of malignant tumors.
The permissible average dose allowed for use per day is not more than 0,2 mg per 1 kilogram of adult body weight. With an increase in the indicated dosage, unpleasant symptoms appear: skin irritation, vomiting and severe convulsions, suffocation and vascular insufficiency, in general, a good reason to seek medical help. In addition, the preservative E231 has a very negative effect on the mucous membranes, causing chemical burns to the eyes, respiratory tract and nose.
Products with a substance in the composition are highly not recommended to be eaten (if we are talking about food), or used on the skin for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, since for them a meeting with orthophenylphenol can be fatal. Children should not be given food with the addition of E231 either.
In Ukraine, the states of the European Union, Canada and the United States, the presence of the substance orthophenylphenol in food is unacceptable. Its only possible contact with food products is during the processing of fruits and vegetables that are to be transported to distant countries. Therefore, having bought tangerines or oranges, before eating them, the fruits must be washed very carefully in running warm water – this way the risk of E231 additive getting into the body is slightly reduced. Children, allergy sufferers, asthmatics, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly should avoid products and products with this substance in their composition. However, for ordinary people with the absence of any serious health problems, it is also undesirable to use such products.
The additive, although it protects edible and inedible goods from spoilage, is too dangerous for humans, therefore, for the preservation and sterilization of food, manufacturers are required to use alternative, approved food additives from the group of preservatives, which are safer and harmless. Consumers also need to carefully consider the choice of fruits and vegetables they buy, and follow basic hygiene rules.