Content
Various types of colorants and preservatives are used in the food industry. Their use can extend the shelf life, improve taste and aroma, and preserve the appearance of products. One of these substances is the food additive E536. Its use is prohibited in some countries.
What is the additive E536
Food supplement E536 is commonly called yellow blood salt. Potassium ferrocyanide belongs to anti-caking agents. The main function of the component is to prevent the formation of lumps in bulk solids.
When the additive is added, the food becomes yellowish or amber. In its usual form, it resembles small crystals that are odorless, but differ in a bitter taste. The dye is highly soluble in water, but does not interact with ether and ethanol. Does not decompose at room temperature and normal humidity.
It arrives at the enterprises in a packaged form. The substance is distributed in dense corrugated polyethylene bags.
What is E536 preservative made of
Food supplement E536 cannot have a beneficial effect on the body. This is all due to the component's manufacturing method.
A few years ago, a preservative was obtained by fusing dry cattle blood with iron filings. As a result of this process, crystals of a yellow hue were formed.
With the advent of new technologies, potassium ferrocyanide was isolated in a different way, but the harmfulness from this method did not decrease. The substance is obtained during the processing of cyanide mass using filters at gas plants. A mass of cyanides and sodium chloride interacts with ferrous sulfate, as a result of which potassium ferrocyanide is obtained.
The benefits and harms of potassium ferrocyanide (E536)
Unfortunately, not many people are aware of the negative effects of potassium ferrocyanide on humans. In fact, this substance is only toxic in high concentrations. Its poisonous properties appear after dissolving in water.
The unpleasant properties of the food additive E536 are revealed when combined with certain types of acids. At this point, the preservative decomposes and the formation of hydrocyanic acid, which is toxic.
Has a laxative effect on the body.
It should be noted that E536 is found in every gram of salt. Manufacturers add a preservative to many types of foods. And with its constant use, a person becomes addictive. Together with the salt, the consumer eats all those slags that remain after processing. But the rate of its content rarely exceeds the permissible indicators.
To avoid harm, it is better to avoid salt and those foods that contain potassium ferrocyanide altogether. Of course, the presentation and taste of the products will change. But if it is not possible to completely abandon salt, then it is recommended to use coarse-grained salt during cooking.
Dangerous or not food additive E536
Manufacturers claim that this type of preservative is not hazardous to human health. Therefore, it is so often used in the food industry. Normally, the amount of this salt should not exceed 20 mg per 1 kg of product.
But it must be remembered that excessive consumption of potassium ferrocyanide leads to the following consequences:
- severe intoxication of the body;
- disorders in the lymphatic system;
- disruption of the central nervous system;
- the development of skin diseases - dermatitis, acne, acne, purulent inflammation;
- violation of the functionality of the liver and gallbladder;
- load on the organs of the digestive tract.
The crystalline yellow powder is of synthetic origin. It is obtained in the process of gas purification in production. If you delve into the name, you can guess that the food supplement E536 contains cyanide compounds - they appear after contact with acids.
The preservative can be obtained in a variety of ways. The amount of cyanide and hydrocyanic acid will depend on this. When a substance enters the stomach, it interacts with hydrochloric acid. As a result of this reaction, excessive release of toxic gases begins.
The preservative is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women. Excessive consumption of products with food additive E536 can lead to irreversible processes.
Where and why potassium ferrocyanide (E536) is added
Large amounts of potassium ferrocyanide can be found in cheese. In the product, it acts as an emulsifier, that is, it connects heterogeneous media. Due to this composition, the product retains its shape well and has a pleasant yellow or amber hue.
Also the food additive E536 is used in the production of table salt. The preservative whitens crystalline particles and prevents the formation of lumps. Initially, the product has a grayish tint. But then the salt takes on an ugly presentation. Looking at a gray product, buyers think that the salt is dirty. But this is not true. The preservative is most often added to finely ground salt.
A preservative is often added in the preparation of sausages. It binds the substance well, gives a beautiful appearance and enhances the taste.
E536 binds heavy metal cations. Thanks to this property, the additive began to be used in winemaking. This process removes the metallic taste.
The component is also used in dairy production. It is added as a stabilizer in the manufacture of curd products. This method manages to give the product friability.
Bread made with rye flour also contains an additive.
Potassium ferrocyanide is used not only in the food industry. It is used to add beautiful color to fabrics and paper. It has proven itself well as a utilizer of radioactive coal and fertilizer.
It is quite possible to determine the presence of the food additive E536 - a white film forms on sausages and cheese. It does not appear immediately, but after a few days, when the shelf life of the product comes to an end.
Many countries do not include the additive in the list of prohibited and dangerous. Manufacturers argue this by the fact that a permissible amount of salt is added to the composition. But if you consume a lot of a product with an anti-caking agent, this will lead to intoxication of the body and the development of adverse consequences.
Conclusion
Scientists believe that the E536 food additive is not hazardous to health. But the production method of the preservative is thought provoking. In fact, these are slags - residues after gas processing.If in its pure form E536 is not dangerous, then when interacting with water and acid it forms compounds that can cause irreparable harm to the body. Therefore, you need to carefully study the composition and refuse those products that contain preservatives.
