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Sodium Hexametaphosphate: What Is It and Why Is It Used?
2023/5/6
Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) is a salt of composition Na 6 [ (PO 3) 6 ]. It is a white solid that dissolves in water and has a variety of applications in different industries
Sodium hexametaphosphate can also be used to refer to a mixture of different sodium polyphosphates, which is more correctly called sodium polymetaphosphate. This mixture is usually obtained by heating sodium phosphate or sodium orthophosphate under high temperature and pressure. The resulting product is a glassy or crystalline material that can be ground into powder or granules
Food additive: SHMP is used as an emulsifier, sequestrant, stabilizer and thickener in many processed foods, such as cheese powders, whipped toppings, maple syrup, roast beef, jellies, salad dressings, cereals and egg whites. It helps to prevent the formation of crystals, improve the texture and appearance, extend the shelf life and enhance the flavor of these foods. SHMP is also used as a water softener and pH adjuster in some beverages
Toothpaste: SHMP is used as an anti-staining and anti-tartar agent in some toothpaste formulations. It helps to prevent the formation of dental plaque and calculus by binding to calcium and magnesium ions in saliva and inhibiting their deposition on teeth. SHMP also helps to whiten teeth by removing surface stains
Ceramic production: SHMP is used as a deflocculant and dispersing agent in the production of clay-based ceramic particles. It helps to reduce the viscosity and improve the flowability of the clay slurry by preventing the aggregation of clay particles. SHMP also helps to control the shrinkage and cracking of the ceramic products during drying and firing4
Soil analysis: SHMP is used as a dispersing agent to break down clay and other soil types for soil texture assessment. It helps to separate the soil particles into different size fractions by preventing their flocculation. SHMP also helps to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of the soil analysis results.
Other uses: SHMP is also used as a corrosion inhibitor, detergent builder, metal chelator, textile softener, dye fixative, fire retardant, paper coating agent and glass modifier in various applications
Gastrointestinal irritation: SHMP may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating when ingested in large amounts or on an empty stomach. These symptoms are usually mild and transient and can be relieved by drinking water or milk
Headache: SHMP may cause headache when consumed in high doses or in combination with certain medications or substances that affect blood pressure or blood flow to the brain. This effect is usually temporary and can be alleviated by resting or taking painkillers
Allergic reaction: SHMP may cause allergic reactions in some people who are sensitive or intolerant to phosphates or other ingredients in the products that contain SHMP. The symptoms may include rash, itching, swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, chest pain and anaphylaxis. These reactions are rare but serious and require immediate medical attention
Bone loss: SHMP may interfere with the absorption and metabolism of calcium and other minerals that are essential for bone health when consumed chronically or excessively. This may lead to bone loss, osteoporosis, fractures and other skeletal disorders. People who are at risk of bone diseases or have low calcium intake should limit their intake of SHMP-containing foods or supplements
Kidney damage: SHMP may cause kidney damage when consumed chronically or excessively by increasing the urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorus and forming insoluble deposits in the kidneys. This may lead to kidney stones, nephrocalcinosis, renal failure and other kidney disorders. People who have kidney problems or are prone to kidney stones should avoid or reduce their intake of SHMP-containing foods or supplements
Cancer risk: SHMP may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer when consumed chronically or excessively by inducing oxidative stress and DNA damage in the pancreatic cells. This effect has been observed in some animal studies but not confirmed in human studies. More research is needed to determine the carcinogenic potential of SHMP in humans
What is sodium hexametaphosphate?
Sodium hexametaphosphate is a type of sodium polyphosphate, which is a polymer of sodium and phosphorus atoms. Sodium polyphosphates have different chain lengths and structures, depending on how they are synthesized. Sodium hexametaphosphate is one of the possible forms of sodium polyphosphate, which has six repeating NaPO 3 units in a ring structureSodium hexametaphosphate can also be used to refer to a mixture of different sodium polyphosphates, which is more correctly called sodium polymetaphosphate. This mixture is usually obtained by heating sodium phosphate or sodium orthophosphate under high temperature and pressure. The resulting product is a glassy or crystalline material that can be ground into powder or granules
Why is sodium hexametaphosphate used?
Sodium hexametaphosphate has many uses in various industries, such as:Food additive: SHMP is used as an emulsifier, sequestrant, stabilizer and thickener in many processed foods, such as cheese powders, whipped toppings, maple syrup, roast beef, jellies, salad dressings, cereals and egg whites. It helps to prevent the formation of crystals, improve the texture and appearance, extend the shelf life and enhance the flavor of these foods. SHMP is also used as a water softener and pH adjuster in some beverages
Toothpaste: SHMP is used as an anti-staining and anti-tartar agent in some toothpaste formulations. It helps to prevent the formation of dental plaque and calculus by binding to calcium and magnesium ions in saliva and inhibiting their deposition on teeth. SHMP also helps to whiten teeth by removing surface stains
Ceramic production: SHMP is used as a deflocculant and dispersing agent in the production of clay-based ceramic particles. It helps to reduce the viscosity and improve the flowability of the clay slurry by preventing the aggregation of clay particles. SHMP also helps to control the shrinkage and cracking of the ceramic products during drying and firing4
Soil analysis: SHMP is used as a dispersing agent to break down clay and other soil types for soil texture assessment. It helps to separate the soil particles into different size fractions by preventing their flocculation. SHMP also helps to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of the soil analysis results.
Other uses: SHMP is also used as a corrosion inhibitor, detergent builder, metal chelator, textile softener, dye fixative, fire retardant, paper coating agent and glass modifier in various applications
Is sodium hexametaphosphate safe?
Sodium hexametaphosphate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used as a food additive in accordance with good manufacturing practices. However, excessive consumption of SHMP may cause some adverse effects, such as:Gastrointestinal irritation: SHMP may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating when ingested in large amounts or on an empty stomach. These symptoms are usually mild and transient and can be relieved by drinking water or milk
Headache: SHMP may cause headache when consumed in high doses or in combination with certain medications or substances that affect blood pressure or blood flow to the brain. This effect is usually temporary and can be alleviated by resting or taking painkillers
Allergic reaction: SHMP may cause allergic reactions in some people who are sensitive or intolerant to phosphates or other ingredients in the products that contain SHMP. The symptoms may include rash, itching, swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, chest pain and anaphylaxis. These reactions are rare but serious and require immediate medical attention
Bone loss: SHMP may interfere with the absorption and metabolism of calcium and other minerals that are essential for bone health when consumed chronically or excessively. This may lead to bone loss, osteoporosis, fractures and other skeletal disorders. People who are at risk of bone diseases or have low calcium intake should limit their intake of SHMP-containing foods or supplements
Kidney damage: SHMP may cause kidney damage when consumed chronically or excessively by increasing the urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorus and forming insoluble deposits in the kidneys. This may lead to kidney stones, nephrocalcinosis, renal failure and other kidney disorders. People who have kidney problems or are prone to kidney stones should avoid or reduce their intake of SHMP-containing foods or supplements
Cancer risk: SHMP may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer when consumed chronically or excessively by inducing oxidative stress and DNA damage in the pancreatic cells. This effect has been observed in some animal studies but not confirmed in human studies. More research is needed to determine the carcinogenic potential of SHMP in humans
Conclusion
Sodium hexametaphosphate is a salt of composition Na 6 [ (PO 3) 6 ] that has many uses in different industries as an emulsifier, sequestrant, dispersing agent and anti-staining agent. It is generally safe when used as a food additive in accordance with good manufacturing practices but may cause some adverse effects when consumed excessively or chronically.
