Sodium Metabisulphite 99%
Sodium Metabisulphite
99% Pure
Molecular formula: Na2S2O5
Synonyms: Sodium pyrosulfite; Disodium Salt Pyrosulfurous Acid; Disulfurous acid, disodium salt, Pyrosulfurous acid, disodium salt; Sodium disulfite; Sodium Pyrosulfite
Sodium metabisulphite is an inorganic compound composed of sodium, sulfur and oxygen. It easily dissolves in water, which leaves that familiar sulfur (rotten egg) smell.
Sodium Metabisulphite in Food:
Sodium Metabisulphite is commonly used as a food preservative for dried foods, like potato chips, raisins and apples, as well as fruit concentrate juices. As a food product, the safe daily intake of sodium metabisulphite has been determined to be about .7 grams per kilogram of body weight. However, those with allergies to sulphites – often exhibited by rashes, hives and wheezing – might try to steer clear of this preservative altogether.
Sodium Metabisulphite as a Cleaner:
Sodium metabisulphite is also present in wines and beers, as it is used as both a sterilizer and an antioxidant in the process of brewing beer or fermenting wine. If you or someone you know claims to have an allergy to red wine, it’s probably because of the presence of sodium metabisulphite.
The chemical is also used in the process of purifying water, cleaning water pipes and reverse osmosis membranes in desalinization equipment as it is an antibacterial.
Sodium Metabisulphite in Other Uses:
Sodium metabisulphite’s acidic and preservative properties also make it an effective substitute for sodium bisulphite, a chemical which is used in traditional darkroom photography. Also, sodium metabisulphite is used as a bleaching agent in pulp and textile manufacture, as well as a reducing agent in pharmaceuticals. It is also a known preservative in cosmetics.
The chemical, in concentrated form, has also been used in landscape gardening as a tree stump remover, as it disintegrates the lignins – chemicals in plant cell walls – in the tree stumps, making them easier to remove.
