Ascorbic Acid Uses Outside the Food Industry

Ascorbic acid is a singular component of vitamin C. In fact, it surrounds the other components that create the entire vitamin C complex. Science has been able to synthesize this portion of vitamin C and use its properties in many non-food industries. Water treatment chemical supplier, Bell Chem, has complied a sample of how ascorbic acid is utilized industrially.

• Ascorbic acid acts as a preservative and reductant during photographic development.

• Swimming pool companies use ascorbic acid to remove dissolved metal stains, namely iron, from the sides of pools. Because it is an acid, it has the ability to lower the pH of pool water and stabilize the other chemicals.

• Iodine is another metal that ascorbic acid negates, so it is routinely added to water purification systems to remove the taste, smell, and color of iodine in sterilized water.

• Microscopists working with fluorescent microscopy find ascorbic acid’s antioxidant ability increases the fluorescent signaling and reduces dye photobleaching in slide preparation.

• Ascorbic acid catalyzes the assembly of molecular chains in plastic manufacturing.

• Recent pharmaceutical trials of topical ascorbic acid have proved it reduces the appearance of fine lines and age spots significantly.  A double-blind trial had a remarkable 73.7% success rate with participants who applied an ascorbic acid solution to one side of their face and a placebo on the opposite side. Both clinicians and patients noted the improvement.

Take a second look at ascorbic acid – it’s not just for food preservation any more. Water treatment chemical supplier Bell Chem’s knowledgeable representatives would be glad to answer your questions regarding ascorbic acid, or any of their other chemicals. Call today at (407) 339-2355 (BELL) or browse our website.

Food and Pharmaceutical Uses of Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin appears on the labels of many foods, from sugar substitutes to sodas. Why is it on the labels, and what role does it play in the food and beverage industries and pharmaceuticals? Nutritional chemical supplier, Bell Chem, has complied some of the uses of this versatile chemical:

• Maltodextrin is produced via hydrolysis from starches, such as potatoes, corn, wheat, or barley.

• Maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate, meaning it combines multiple simple sugars to build a lengthy chain of carbohydrates. Sugars and carbohydrates are closely related, and maltodextrin is complex enough to be classified as a carbohydrate on a food label, while maintaining the dextrose equivalent (DE) rating of 3 to 20.

• The DE rating pertains to sweetness, length of glucose chains, solubility, and heat resistance. Below DE 10, substances are considered dextrins. Dextrins have long glucose chains, low sweetness values, low solubility, and high heat resistance.

• Because it is an expedient source of energy, maltodextrin is regularly used by bodybuilders and endurance athletes to quickly rush energy to hungry cells.

• In the beer industry, maltodextrin is added while beer is aging to increase the specific gravity of the final product without changing the alcohol content or flavor of the beverage. Maltodextrin also improves beer’s “mouthfeel”, retains the frothy head consumers appreciate, and reduces drink dryness.

• The most common use of maltodextrin is as a food thickener, where it adds volume and texture to oatmeal, sauces, and salad dressings, for example, while increasing their overall appearance.

• Sugar substitutes are not measured 1:1 with traditional table sugar. To keep consumers from adding too much sugar substitute, which is generally much sweeter than sucrose at a greatly reduced volume, maltodextrin is added, giving sugar substitutes more bulk to equalize their use to sugar.

• Much like in the food industry, in pharmaceuticals, maltodextrin acts as a filler. Capsules often contain maltodextrin since it neither adds nor detracts from the medicinal content while stabilizing the drugs.

Call Bell Chem (407) 339-BELL (2355) to learn more about maltodextrin or any of the other chemicals we sell, or browse our website.

Medical Uses for D-Limonene

It seems every so often a miracle cure is discovered that heals the body or prevents disease or distress.  Typically, science proves the cure to be a farce, at least for the most part.  D-limonene does not fit this criterion. Scientists have tested d-limonene on rats and humans, and the success of their studies is overwhelmingly positive. Read below for a synopsis of only a few health benefits of d-limonene.

• Derived from the rind of citrus fruits, d-limonene is a prevalent terpene. Terpenes are potent antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties, help control or prevent cancer, and curb appetite. All plants synthesize terpenes, which act as a natural resistance against physical and environmental stress, as well as insect defense. Since people eat plants, the terpenes enter our bodies and interact with NF-kappaB, the gene signal regulating immunity and cellular inflammation, thereby supporting the body’s normal defense systems against invasive pathogens.

• As a solvent for cholesterol, d-limonene dissolves gallstones that contain cholesterol.

• Sluggish bowels are often caused by abundant amounts of Candida albicans or other harmful pathogens, which produce toxic waste metabolites. D-limonene neutralizes these pathogens with its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. Within the stomach, d-limonene also neutralizes gastric acid to support normal peristalsis, and relieves heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) in the stomach and esophagus.

• The liver is a powerful detoxification center in the body. D-limonene aids the liver’s Phase I and Phase II detoxification enzymes in their important role of cleansing the body of harmful chemicals and fat.

• As an aid to the lymphatic system, d-limonene breaks down fat-soluble barriers that cause headaches, mucus buildup, and joint stiffness.

• Breathing in the pure aroma of citrus, where d-limonene originates, has been proven to elevate hormone levels to reduce anxiety and calm allergic reactions.

• In clinical trials involving diabetic rats, d-limonene improved all major antioxidant enzymes. Further studies found animals given d-limonene reduced their food intake and body weight, had lower blood cholesterol levels, and prevented the buildup of fat in the liver and elsewhere in the body.

• D-limonene activates adenosine A(2A) receptors on cell membranes, which, in turn, triggers dopamine transmission. When A(2A) receptors are not activated, a hyperimmune response results, like allergic reactions, or other fallacies of the nervous system may occur, such as anxiety or insomnia.

For more information on d-limonene, or other chemicals, call Orlando chemical supplier, Bell Chem, at (407) 339-BELL, or browse the website. Bell Chem is proud to be a leader in the chemical supply industry.

Isopropyl Alcohol 99% as a Cleaning Product

Orlando chemical supplier, Bell Chem, knows that isopropyl alcohol 99% has proven itself as a disinfectant, but did you know that its uses exceed these humble beginnings as a cleaning product with dozens of uses? Here is a list of its other uses:

• Candles: Many special occasions are the perfect opportunity to bring out festive candles. The times in between the festivities are not so good for the candles, however, and the waxy dust that accumulates is alleviated with a bit of isopropyl alcohol – spray it on and the candles shine like new.

• Countertops: Along with eliminating germs, it removes streaks and spots water leaves behind on granite or laminate countertops or floor tiles.

• De-greaser: Have a vent or burner on your stove with caked-on grease? Remove the grease with a splash of isopropyl alcohol 99%.

• Dry-erase Boards: Finally, something that removes marks that even dry-erase markers leave behind.

• Electronics: Gently wipe isopropyl alcohol 99% over keyboards, cellular phones, headphones, or many other electronic devices to remove ground-in debris. The added power of disinfectant keeps you healthier by significantly decreasing germs.

• Glass and Mirrors: Isopropyl alcohol 99% removes the patina from aged mirrors and glass. Dab a little on a soft cloth to bring back the mirror’s original sheen. Car windows doused with a mix of isopropyl alcohol 99% and water remain frost-free during winter months, and if you forget to wash the windows with the alcohol/water mix, simply pour isopropyl alcohol 99% onto the windshield to immediately remove even the heaviest frost.

• Gummy Residue Remover: Isopropyl alcohol 99% removes most bandage, sticky tape or sticker residue.

• Ink Remover: Use isopropyl alcohol on carpets or clothing to blot fresh permanent marker or ink stains, or soak for standing marker or ink stains.

• Metal: Shine any metal surface, knobs, light fixtures, handles, fixtures, jewelry, etc, with a soft cloth dabbed with isopropyl alcohol 99%.

Contact Orlando chemical supplier, Bell Chem, to order isopropyl alcohol 99% for your company. Our representatives are available to answer your questions concerning isopropyl alcohol 99% or any of our other products. Call 407-339-BELL (2355) for more information.

The Health Benefits of Dextrose

Dextrose, chemical formula C6H12O6, is commonly referred to as glucose. However, the two differ because of dextrose’s added water molecule. The food industry utilizes dextrose as a preservative to increase the shelf life of packaged foods. The human body, on the other hand, uses dextrose in a much different and significant manner: dextrose plays a starring physiological role in the human body by delivering energy to cells. In fact, the brain runs almost exclusively upon energy supplied from dextrose. Bell Chem, a nutritional chemical supplier in Orlando, provides prompt delivery of this chemical, along with any others.

Since it is a monosaccharide, a simple carbohydrate, dextrose is easily absorbed through cellular membranes to stimulate muscle cells during performance and recovery.

A substance’s glycemic index indicates its effect on the body’s blood glucose levels. The high glycemic index of dextrose means it is quickly utilized without further breaking down by chemical or mechanical processes. Dextrose works by spiking insulin; in turn, insulin rushes dextrose, proteins, amino acids, creatinine, alanine, carnitine, arginine and other necessary nutrients to cells throughout the body. This rapid influx of nutrients keeps muscle cells at peak performance before, during, and after exercise.

Because dextrose is rapidly absorbed, athletes use it to gain muscle weight, as well as use it for endurance training since carbohydrates provide almost immediate energy for working muscles. Dextrose replaces the glycogen stores in muscles when they are energy depleted from exercise and diminishes muscle recovery time. Bell Chem is a nutritional chemical supplier who offers a large quantity of products from industrial to nutritional to botanical. Contact one of our knowledgeable representatives at 407-339-BELL (2355) for more information about dextrose or any of our other products to enhance your business.

The Uses of Citric Acid in the Food Industry

As a citric acid supplier, we know that most people associate citric acid with citrus fruits – oranges, lemons, and grapefruit, for instance. Citric acid also occurs in peppers, tomatoes, artichokes, and most berries. For humans, citric acid is a vital component of the Krebs cycle in metabolizing and oxidizing fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. The food industry utilizes citric acid in a much different fashion, with its marvelous acid fermenting, catalyzing, preserving, and flavoring foods and beverages.

• Cheese Manufacturing: – The cheese industry uses citric acid, particularly with mozzarella. It utilizes citric acid as a catalyst to quickly ferment milk. Faster fermentation means large-scale operations can create cheese more rapidly.

• Shelf Life: Bacteria needs a stable pH to survive. Because citric acid reduces the pH to levels too low for most bacteria, the shelf life of processed foods increases dramatically for jams and jellies, canned foods, meat products, and other foods.

• Taste: Along with preserving carbonated beverages, teas, and juices, citric acid adds the sour or acidic flavor consumers enjoy.

• Emulsifier: Citric acid acts as a vegetable fat emulsifier. Because fats are unable to coagulate, ice cream and sherbet retain a consistent texture and flavor throughout.

• Effervescence: When coupled with sodium bicarbonate, citric acid effervesces. Fizzy candies, carbonated beverages, and powdered drinks, as well as antacid tablets and powders, owe their effervescence to this chemical reaction. In fact, approximately 50% of citric acid production is utilized in beverages.

• Beer & Wine: Because citric acid is a weak acid, it is often utilized to create an acidic environment in beer and wine production.

• Absorption: Many common vitamins and minerals work more expediently within an acidic pH environment. Citric acid is used in dietary supplements to accelerate absorption. Also, without citric acid, a vitamin C tablet would taste quite bitter.

To learn more about citric acid or any of our other products, contact the citric acid supplier, Bell Chem, at 407-339-BELL (2355).

Uses of Benzyl Alcohol

Part of our Florida chemical supply at Bell Chem is benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol is a general solvent, or a substance that dissolves a solute (usually a solid, although it can be another liquid or a gas) to form a solution. Unlike other solvents, however, benzyl alcohol is not flammable. This small fact makes benzyl alcohol safe to ship around the world. Its other function is as a precursor to different esters, or chemical compounds derived from an acid in which one or more hydroxyl groups are replaced with an alkoxy group. Esters are commonly used in the cosmetic industry.

• In healthcare, intravenous medications are treated with benzyl alcohol where it acts as a bacteriostatic preservative at low concentrations.

• Head lice can be stanched with a 5% solution of benzyl alcohol.

• In cosmetics, benzyl alcohol acts as an ester and is added to perfumes and soaps.

• The food industry utilizes benzyl alcohol in pre-packaged foods to enhance flavors.

• In photography, benzyl alcohol develops photos.

As a solvent, benzyl alcohol is a component of inks, paints, epoxy resin coatings, and lacquers.

Interestingly, quartz and wool fiber have the same refraction index as benzyl alcohol. If either of these solids is immersed in benzyl alcohol, they become virtually invisible, thereby assuring they are true products and not fraudulent copies. With its ease of shipment and versatility in a variety of industries, the remarkable benzyl alcohol is a must-have solvent or precursor to esters. For Florida chemical supply, contact Bell Chem today to learn how your business will benefit by using benzyl alcohol.

Learning About Lubricant-Free Chains

When I was growing up, I was taught to properly maintain my bicycle. One of the requirements of maintenance was to ensure the chain was not corroded, did not rub more than necessary, and had the correct amount of oil. The amount of oil was tricky for me, and most of the time I was faced with the quandary of applying too much oil and risking grit and road grime from building up on the chain, or neglecting to add enough with the result of the chain grinding the gears, causing both to wear more quickly than normal.

Nearly every industry utilizes chains for most of its assembly line processes. Much like the chain on my bicycle, industrial chains are maintained by people who strive to maintain them to the best of their abilities. However, the same conundrum of too much or too little oil perseveres. Too little oil causes the chains, bearings, and other equipment to wear much more rapidly than expected. Too much oil invites contamination from airborne particles, which may spray oil in droplets across the surface of the product being manufactured. This latter predicament is extremely detrimental when the material is fabric or technology hardware, for instance.

To address this problem, sanitation chemical suppliers developed lubricant-free chains. These chains have an initial cost more than double that of a traditional chain, but because they are not maintained by the unintentional over- or under-oiling of maintenance personnel, the span of usefulness may stretch more than ten times that of a lubricated chain.

Lubricated chains are created with the lubricant added as the components are manufactured, a process known as sintering by sanitation chemical suppliers, or by packing the rollers with a high-viscosity grease lubricant. Of the two, the former is more highly recommended. Both have the advantage of dispersing oil internally to the chain rather than externally on the chain. Internal application repels more of the airborne particulate matter from adhering to the surface of the chain and causing undue wear.

Give your products and machinery the advantage of lubricated chains. The amount of man-hours saved in maintaining the chains of your equipment along with the greater amount of clean, oil-free products will certainly make the purchase of lubricated chains beneficial.

To learn more about sanitation chemicals, contact the Orlando sanitation chemical supplier at Bell Chem today.

Clean Water With Polyphosphates

Polyphosphates, the water treatment chemical components, play a vital role in maintaining a precise chemical level of potable (drinking) water. It is inevitable that metals exist in water; polyphosphates work to remove or reduce the level of these metals more rapidly than other chemicals; they are also used as a catalyst to stimulate other chemical reactions. For instance, hard deposits of calcium carbonate and iron oxides tend to flocculate, or clump, and cause buildups in pipes and in the water. Polyphosphates coat individual metal particles, halting flocculation and preventing clogging. Sodium hexametaphosphate interferes with early crystallization of hard metal deposits to remove these metals from the water at levels far below what is typical for other reactions. Polyphosphates also act as sequestration agents, surrounding metal ions such as iron and manganese to form soluble chemical complexes that move through pipes rather than adhering to them.

Many water treatment chemicals have a specific pH range and strict environmental protocol to work properly. Polyphosphate configuration is varied and works in a wide range of neutral or alkaline pH levels. Polyphosphates are stable under conditions considered too harsh for other water treatment chemicals, such as those found in chlorinated drinking water. Stability is also important in storing chemicals, and polyphosphates have the ability to retain physical and chemical properties over an extended period of time.

If you are looking for an array of stable, hard-working water treatment chemicals to quickly improve your water treatment system, give polyphosphates a try. For the most reliable water treatment chemical supplier in the Orlando area, contact Bell Chem today. By simply calling 407-339-BELL(2355), you’ll be establishing a lasting and reliable relationship, unlike any other. Along with a vast selection of water treatment chemicals, we also have various pharmaceutical and personal care, as well as raw materials to suit any need or desire.

Beyond the Sunburn: Aloe Vera’s Uses as a Beauty Care Chemical

My grandmother always had at least one aloe vera plant at her house that we primarily utilized as a curative for any minor skin irritation, from burns to punctures and even abrasions. The soothing gel of the aloe did not irritate or dry the skin. As I grew up, aloe vera’s usefulness grew with me. The beauty care chemical became my go-to remedy for sunburn relief and to enhance my skin’s pliability. Aloe does much more than making the skin look healthy, though; aloe significantly improves many facets of skin health.

Aloe vera plants are storehouses of remarkable beauty care chemicals, designed to counteract the effects of time and environment. Long strings of extremely polar proteins called mucopolysaccharides encapsulate water within the skin’s surface to help skin maintain moisture. Aloe vera also stimulates the production of the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers, the fibers responsible for skin elasticity. The breakdown of elastin fibers gives the skin a wrinkled appearance; aloe vera prevents this breakdown.

The surface of the skin, the epidermis, is constantly flaking away. These small cellular regions are shed without notice for the most part, but their departure often gives the skin a rougher appearance. Aloe adheres these flaking skin cells together for a softer, more uniform skin appearance. The amino acids within aloe vera work to soften toughened skin areas, such as feet and fingers. As a matter of fact, when gloves are infused with aloe, hands become less erythematous and wrinkles decrease. Another dermatological difficulty aloe corrects is pore size. When the pores on the skin’s surface are large, not only does the skin look rough, but the larger openings increase permeability, inviting bacterial infection of the oil glands. The zinc within aloe vera is proven to tighten pores and relieve many of the symptoms caused by larger pores.

The components of aloe vera also act as an anti-inflammatory, which aids in removing or reducing fluid build-up beneath the skin. Studies are also proving that aloe vera may inhibit tumor growth in animals. In the future, we may see aloe as part of cancer chemoprevention.

Stock up on aloe vera today by contacting Bell Chem. Your skin will thank you for investing in this amazing beauty care chemical for years to come.