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Potassium hydroxide is an alkaline substance and has strong emulsifying properties. Thanks to this additive, which is also known under the names “potassium hydroxide”, “potassium lye”, “caustic potash”, and under the code E525, it is possible to create homogeneous mixtures of components such as water with oils or water with fats. In their normal state, these elements cannot interact as a mixture, but due to the addition of potassium hydroxide, they form homogeneous textures.
The substance is considered safe for humans, so it is often used in the food industry. However, food production is not the only industry in which potassium hydroxide has found a place.
What is the E525 additive and how is it obtained
According to its chemical structure, potassium hydroxide is a strong alkali that can be used both in a loose state and in the form of a solution. White or colorless powder with fine granules, odorless and has good solubility in water. In addition to the granular form, the powder substance may consist of small flakes, balls, grains.
The aqueous solution, in turn, has a pungent alkaline odor. The taste of the additive is pronounced bitter, with a “soapy” aftertaste. In addition to water, the substance normally dissolves in alcohols, ethers. The solution itself can become a solvent for some organic materials – paper, wood, leather. In addition, an aqueous solution is capable of corroding glass, and the melt has a similar effect on porcelain and platinum.
At a temperature of 404 degrees Celsius, the additive begins to melt, and at 1324 degrees it boils. Potassium hydroxide is able to react with acid oxides, acids and transition metals, and due to its high hygroscopicity, it is highly susceptible to moisture.
Food manufacturers appreciate the E525 additive as an emulsifier for creating homogeneous mixtures, as well as an acidity level regulator that is able to set and maintain a certain value of the acidic environment in the product.
Regarding the preparation of the additive, there are several methods most commonly used in the industry. The process occurs through the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of potassium chloride.
Electrolysis can be carried out using a solid asbestos or polymer cathode (membrane method), as well as using a mercury cathode – this mechanism is the most profitable and common, since the resulting substance contains the least amount of impurities. Nevertheless, membrane is considered safe and more preferable for the food industry.
Areas of use of potassium hydroxide
Since the 17th and 18th centuries, the substance has been known for its cleansing properties: after exposure to high temperatures, it was possible to clean stainless steel products and surfaces with potassium hydroxide.
A little later, at the end of the 19th century, when the food industry began to intensively use the achievements of chemistry to improve the properties of manufactured products, attention was paid to caustic potash as an emulsifier and acidity regulator. Today it is used for the following purposes:
- to create and maintain the right pH level in chocolate and cocoa-based products;
- for protection against browning, preservation of color and presentation of frozen vegetables, especially potatoes (as a processing component);
- for removing skins and skins from vegetables and fruits;
- for carrying out refining reactions of vegetable oils (sunflower, linseed) as a catalyst.
It can be used for anisotropic etching of silicon in crystals, as well as for absorption of acid gases such as hydrogen sulfide or sulfur dioxide. Potassium hydroxide can be used to disinfect wastewater.
The substance is one of the most important elements in the chemical industry and in the production of a variety of consumer products, from batteries to agricultural fertilizers and mixtures.
In addition, it is very often used in the veterinary field, since E525 has the ability to destroy bedbugs, fleas and parasites, as well as some viruses and bacteria. It can be found in baby food for feeding children up to 1 year.
The substance is also used in other industries, processes, materials:
- alkaline batteries;
- detergents;
- dyes;
- fertilizers;
- pharmaceuticals
- upon receipt of viscose threads and fibers for the processing of wood pulp;
- for processing cotton fabrics in order to make them hygroscopic.
Requirements for containers for transportation and storage
The additive can only be contained in sealed packaging that is resistant to alkali. These are unpainted polyethylene bags, steel drums lined with PTFE or polypropylene bags with an additional stable bag insert. It is permissible to pack small batches of a substance in plastic jars and buckets. Potassium hydroxide solution is usually stored in steel containers or drums.
In addition, the substance is non-flammable, but explosive, and this feature must be taken into account when choosing a place for storage.
Can E525 be harmful to human health
Definitely today it is only known that the substance does not bring any benefit to the body. In the composition of food, the amount of alkaline additive is so insignificant that it actually does not pose any danger.
Problems can be caused by careless handling of a concentrated substance: if it gets on the skin or mucous tissues, it causes a severe chemical burn, and if the additive gets into the eyes, it can result in complete loss of vision.
To work with potassium liquor, it is necessary to adhere to safety precautions: protective clothing, gloves, masks, goggles and special shoes are required.
Studies conducted using laboratory animals have shown that the constant use of the acidity regulator E525 can cause chronic skin diseases. However, there is still no established daily intake of the supplement.
The substance is approved for use in the food manufacturing process in Russia, Ukraine, Canada, the United States and the European Union. By itself, potassium hydroxide is a strong alkali, therefore, in direct contact with the pure form of the substance, a person is in danger of getting severe burns and even blindness. In food, the amount of the additive is so small that it does not cause harm to health; moreover, it is also allowed to be used in baby food. In addition to food production, the scope of use of potassium hydroxide is very wide: it is the production of various detergents, chemicals, fertilizers, paper, rubber, and oil distillation, and many chemical reactions for various purposes, as well as metallurgical and drilling processes.