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Titanium dioxide (E171) is a food additive with good whitening properties, therefore it is widely used in many areas (manufacturing, cosmetology, food industry). You can also find other names for E171: titanium dioxide, Titanium Dioxide, titanium dioxide and titanium oxide.
Additive description
The chemical composition of E171: titanium dioxide (responsible for whitening) and titanium white. When heated, the substance turns pale yellow. This is an inert substance that does not dissolve in water, sunflower and olive oils, alcohol.
In nature, titanium dioxide is found in some minerals, such as brookite, rutile and anatase. The dye is a white powder without a distinctive taste and aroma. It is characterized by long-term resistance to sunlight, acidic environments, alkalis and temperature fluctuations.
White crystals in fractional form are used in industrial sectors. They are obtained in two of the most common ways. The first is sulfate from ilmented concentrate, the second is chloride from titanium tetrachloride.
The main properties of titanium dioxide: it is not toxic at all, it has chemical resistance, does not change the smell (only the shade changes during heating), it is highly moisture resistant, it is fully compatible with absolutely any film products, it has a high whitening and at the same time coloring ability.
Titanium oxide in cosmetology
E171 is used in the production of various creams for a uniform and high-quality tan, in ointments for allergic reactions. It is recognized as one of the best substances that protect the skin from ultraviolet rays that cause skin melanoma.
Titanium dioxide can be found in cosmetics and beauty products such as powder, lipstick, eye shadow, antiperspirants, soaps, and toothpaste. Lovers of natural cosmetics prepare soap on their own and select the necessary and high-quality components. In soap, an obligatory component is E171, which not only gives the desired shade, but also protects it from sunlight. With the help of the additive, a high-quality cosmetic material is obtained, including titanium micas (saturated mother-of-pearl).
Titanium dioxide in food production
The use and widespread use of Titanium Dioxide in the food industry began in 1994, primarily as a natural dye, due to which an incredible whitening effect is obtained. In food, E171 is considered safe, but research and testing is under way to determine the effects of the supplement on the human body.
The dye is an indispensable component in the production of dry mixes, dairy products and instant breakfasts. As a natural bleach, it is used for the mass production of chewing gum. With the help of titanium dioxide, crab sticks (their white parts) and other seafood are bleached.
The food industry needs E171, because titanium dioxide dye is a primary component for creating cookies, buns, sweets and other products. The daily allowance for a person of this food supplement should not be more than 1 percent.
Titanium dioxide in medicine
The pharmaceutical industry also did not stand aside, since E171 is one of the components of many medicines. It is designed to:
- give tablets or capsules a whitish color;
- make them more presentable;
- extend the shelf life of the medicine.
White titanium dioxide is widely used in the medical industry in the production of tablet preparations and vitamin complexes. Adding powder to the bases of creams, suppositories, pastes and other pharmacological drugs has become commonplace.
Titanium dioxide in other areas
Also, titanium oxide can be found in the production of paints and varnishes (for example, laminated paper and plastics). The substance has refractory abilities, therefore it is necessary for the manufacture of optical glasses. It is also known to be used to create whitewash for coating welding electrodes. Thanks to this additive, the resistance to fading and aging of the topographic paint is increased, the structural features of the paper pulp in the cardboard and paper industry are improved.
| Country | Maximum annual production capacity |
|---|---|
| America | 300 |
| Canada | 20 |
| Germany | 140 |
| United Kingdom | 150 |
| France | 105 |
| Finland | 120 |
Titanium dioxide is used in the form of microparticles in the field of nanotechnology, but this is still a new direction in the application of E171. Therefore, the global consumption of microparticles is approximately two thousand tons per year. The demand for titanium dioxide is explained by the fact that over the past few years there has been an increase in the production of consumer goods and other sectors of the national economy. In developed countries, the consumption of the additive should be 2 kg per person, but this is quite difficult to achieve, for example, in Russia this figure is only 300 grams. The capacity of sales and consumption markets is rapidly increasing, and this indicates that this food additive has good prospects on the world market.
For large-scale production of ceramics, glass and rubber, titanium dioxide is used as a catalyst for chemical reactions, thanks to which finished products can be used at elevated temperatures. Titanium dioxide has a beneficial effect on wood, it protects it from the radiation of sunlight.
How does E171 affect health?
The effect of food additives on the human body is being studied to this day. In May 2021, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that E171 cannot be considered safe for health as a food additive. As it turned out, a dangerous property of titanium dioxide is genotoxicity – the ability to damage DNA molecules, which can lead to the development of cancer. The additive at the time of editing the article is allowed in many states: the Russian Federation, in some countries of the European Union, the USA, Canada and others. This dye is in the Codex Alimentarius (a set of food international standards) as a valuable food additive. But according to the results of many modern studies, it was found that the substance harms a person.
It is not recommended to use the food supplement for people who have a weak immune system, kidney and liver diseases. When inhaled white powder increases the likelihood of cancer. This is confirmed by experiments carried out on rats. The dye was added to the rodents’ food, five days later, the well-being and general condition of the rats were checked. During these 5 days, the chromosomes were deformed in rodents, the DNA chain was broken. The metabolism in rats is several times faster than in humans, so when testing the human body after consuming E171, the results can vary significantly.
It was believed that E171 is a harmless substance that does not cause chemical reactions in living organisms, but this is not so. The additive has a strong mechanical effect on living cells and can completely destroy their natural structure. There is a high probability that titanium dioxide dust has carcinogenic characteristics and can adversely affect a person’s well-being.
Despite lengthy studies and experiments, E171 dye is used as a food additive and is considered safe, provided that it is added to food in minimal dosages.
Wherever it is used, titanium dioxide is an indispensable and natural supplement. First of all, this is due to its technological features: it prevents, completely eliminates unwanted coloring of food products, is known as a dye for products and mixtures, and gives an attractive appearance to finished products. Most importantly, this supplement is derived from natural, sustainable sources. Experts say that only in case of an overdose can side effects occur, so the supplement is allowed in many states, since its harmful sides do not pose any significant risk to human health.