History and Discovery
Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) was discovered in the 1890s when German chemist Gustav Schönherr reacted sodium phosphate with phosphorus pentoxide. SHMP soon found uses as a sequestrant in water softening and detergent formulations due to its ability to bind with calcium, magnesium and heavy metal ions. In the 1930s, its efficacy as a antioxidant, emulsifier and additive for improved handling and processing of meat products was recognized. Today, it is widely used across many industries including food, water treatment, ceramics, detergents and more.
Chemical Properties and Structure
Chemically, sodium hexametaphosphate is known as sodium polyphosphate glass or sodium polyphosphate. Its chemical formula is (NaPO3)6 and molecular weight is about 322 Daltons. It is a cyclic polymeric metaphosphate made of six {P2O7} linked together to form a ring structure by the condensation of six PO3 units. SHMP forms a colloidal dispersion in water which is transparent and highly alkaline. It is odorless, colorless and hygroscopic in nature. Its high water solubility and ability to form complexes with metal ions makes it an effective sequestrant.
Uses in Food Industry
As a food additive, Sodium Hexametaphosphate finds diverse applications due to its functionality as an emulsifier, sequestrant, antioxidant and thickening agent. It is approved by FDA for direct addition to foods up to a level of 5.8% by weight. Some common uses are:
- Meat processing: It improves yield, texture and water retention in meats. SHMP prevents denaturation and clumping of meat proteins during cooking.
- Seafood processing: Used for glazing, tumbling, massaging and marinating seafood products like shrimp, salmon, tuna etc. to improve texture, yields and shelf life.
- Dairy products: Acts as a sequestrant in processed cheese, cheese analogs and dairy analogs to prevent mineral precipitation.
- Bakery products: Provides Structure and volume to baked goods. Used as a dough conditioner and anti-staling agent in cakes, breads, pastries etc.
- Sauces, dressings: Thickens and stabilizes emulsions in mayonnaise, soups, gravies without affecting taste or color.
- Beverages: Added to carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices and dairy-based drinks for clarity and stability.
Thus, SHMP multi-functionality offers formulations advantages to food manufacturers. Its approval and established safety profile has ensured continued adoption.
Water Treatment
As a water softener, sodium hexametaphosphate effectively binds with calcium and magnesium ions present in hard water to form soluble complexes. This prevents precipitation of scale forming salts on pipes, boilers and other equipments. SHMP is commonly used in industrial and municipal water treatment plants for softening, followed by removal of SHMP-metal complexes through sedimentation or ion exchange process. It enhances the efficacy of soaps and detergents in hard water by preventing formation of calcium fatty acid salts. Its effect lasts much longer compared to other phosphates, requiring lesser dosage. SHMP thus helps reduce operation and maintenance costs in various industries that require soft water.
Other Industrial Uses
Ceramics: It provides plasticity and green strength to ceramic bodies as a binder by dispersing clay particles. This allows for thinner, denser products with improved mechanical properties.
Detergents: As a builder, sodium hexametaphosphate aids surfactants in solubilizing soils by chelating water hardness ions. It enhances cleaning performance of soaps and synthetic detergents for laundry and automatic dishwashing applications.
Leather processing: Acts as an electrolyte during soaking and liming stages by sequestering calcium to ensure uniform penetration of lime into hides and skins.
Petroleum: Used as a dispersant, demulsifier and rust inhibitor formulation in crude oil treatment plants.
Paper: Provides strength and brightness stability to paper sheets as a pulp conditioner and binder during manufacturing.
Thus, versatile functionality and wide compatibility with other ingredients has made SHMP the phosphate of choice for several industrial cleaning and water treatment applications globally. Its use helps improve quality, productivity and cost-savings.
Regulations
Being a long-established food additive, SHMP complies with regulations of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), World Health Organization (WHO) and other international food safety authorities regarding maximum allowed levels, specifications and good manufacturing practices. Environmental regulations control its disposal from municipal and industrial effluents due to higher phosphorus content versus other phosphates. However, with proper waste handling - via precipitation or ion exchange methods, SHMP poses low ecological risks when within regulated concentration levels. Overall, adherence to good manufacturing and use practices ensures sodium hexametaphosphate continues fulfilling its diverse functions safely across various industries.
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