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Sodium lactate is traditionally called sodium lactate in the chemical industry, and in the food industry it is usually coded as food additive E325. The substance of natural origin has a pronounced emulsifying effect, acts as an acidity regulator, antioxidant and water-retaining agent. It is thanks to these properties that the additive has gained popularity as a component of many food products. In addition, the substance has a minimal level of danger to human health, so its use today does not cause much controversy and objection.
Sodium lactate – a substance in nature, its production and chemical properties
In its natural form, the element is present in human skin. It can also be produced by intestinal bacteria from lactic acid.
In appearance, the substance is hygroscopic crystals with melting properties, or a viscous liquid with the consistency of syrup, usually with a concentration of 35 to 60 percent. The taste of the additive is salty, and the smell is similar to the smell of soda. The color of the substance can be whitish, yellow, ocher or light brown. Additive E325 has good solubility in water. For industrial purposes, the additive has recently been used in the form of a powder with 4 percent silica and 0,4 percent oil, to prevent the formation of lumps.
Выработка лактата натрия происходит посредством нейтрализации молочной кислоты карбонатом или гидроксидом натрия. В таком случае в веществе могут содержаться примеси натриевых солей полимолочной кислоты.
Manufacturers of the food, cosmetic and chemical industries value the E325 additive as an emulsifier that improves the consistency of the product and stabilizes its structure; as a flavor and odor enhancer, since the component is able to improve the taste of food; as a preservative that can significantly increase the shelf life of products and protect them from weathering and oxidation, preserve the color and smell of food; as an acidity regulator capable of establishing and stabilizing a specific level of acidic environment.
Features of the use of additives in various industries
Due to its moisture-retaining, stabilizing, preservative properties, food manufacturers add it to various products:
- emulsion liqueurs, cocktails, creams;
- frozen meat products;
- pickles for preserving vegetables (olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, gherkins);
- dough, flour and bakery products;
- marshmallow, marmalade, jelly, hard caramel, condensed milk;
- processed cheese;
- preserves, jams;
- sauces and mayonnaises, broths and dry bouillon cubes;
- cracker.
In bread and buns, the component plays the role of a dough improver, makes its structure more porous and helps to reduce voids. In marshmallow, marmalade and caramel, the substance improves the viscosity of the mass and changes the gelling parameters. For processed cheeses, the additive acts as a melting salt along with citrates and phosphates. In meat products, sodium lactate inhibits the development and growth of pathogenic microorganisms and improves their color. To regulate the level of acidity, it is added to jams, mayonnaises, sauces, preserves.
Косметическая промышленность использует 40-80% растворы лактата натрия благодаря таким его свойствам:
- moisturizing the skin;
- reduction of stickiness and fat content of emulsions, lotions and creams;
- antiseptic action, which does not allow goods to deteriorate due to bacterial development;
- giving a feeling of softness and improving slip when applying creams, lotions;
- buffer for regulating acidity in detergents;
- increasing the hardness of the soap, making it smooth and preventing drying out.
When cosmetics with sodium lactate are applied to the skin, an invisible film is created on its surface that allows air to pass through. It retains moisture in the skin and protects it from temperature effects.
It is used to make:
- soap;
- detergents;
- creams, lotions;
- bleaching agents;
- cleansing cosmetics for hair, face, body.
Continuous use of body care products containing 5 to 12% sodium lactate helps to smooth out expression lines and improve skin elasticity.
In toothpastes, the component has a whitening effect on tooth enamel.
In addition, the additive is also found in the composition of some medicines.
How sodium lactate works when ingested in foods
The substance can affect bacterial cells in several ways. First, lactic acid can penetrate the cell membrane and oxidize its interior. Secondly, lactate is able to reduce the coefficient of water activity, as a result of which cells lose their ability to grow and reproduce.
Effects on the human body
As a component of skin care cosmetics, sodium lactate can increase the likelihood of sunburn, as it has a photosensitizing property. In rare cases, the substance can act as an allergen and cause itching, redness, and burning on the skin. In addition, when choosing cosmetics for yourself, you need to take into account that the E325 additive enhances the penetration of certain substances into skin cells and into the blood.
In general, the food supplement is harmless and has practically no restrictions in use: it should not be given only to small children under 2-3 years old, since their liver cannot produce the necessary amount of enzymes to cope with lactate.
For people with allergies to dairy products, the substance does not pose a danger, as it does not contain milk protein.
Science has not found any benefit from the use of products with an additive in the composition, however, as well as significant harm. The substance itself is safe, and the only threat to human health can only be impurities or genetically modified components that may appear in it during the production process.
Features of substance storage
In order to preserve the properties and chemical characteristics of the additive, it must be kept in a dark place with a good level of ventilation, at a temperature of 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. Humidity should be no more than 75%. Usually tightly packed plastic cans or boxes are chosen for such purposes.
Молочнокислый натрий – компонент многих продуктов питания, и большинства косметических средств. Выраженные свойства эмульгатора, регулятора кислотности, влагоудерживателя и консерванта сделали вещество популярным ингредиентом в сладостях, мясных продуктах, хлебобулочных изделиях, а также незаменимым ингредиентом кремов, увлажняющих лосьонов, очищающих и отбеливающих средств.
The food additive E325 is allowed in almost all states, since no one has provided scientifically based data that could confirm its danger to humans.