Dibasic Ester (DBE)

Dibasic esters are commonly used as lubricants, solvents, plasticizers, additives, and spin finishes. Dibasic esters are the refined dimethyl esters of adipic, glutaric, and succinic acids. They are non-flammable, non-corrosive, and quickly biodegrading – all factors leading to an environmentally-friendly product. Easily soluble in alcohol and only slightly soluble in water,  dibasic esters are colorless, clear and have a slightly fruity odor. Bell Chem, the industrial chemical supplier in Central Florida, stocks dibasic ester because of its multiple uses.

• Dibasic ester acts as a coating agent for magnet and enamel wires, magnetic memory discs, automobiles, coils, cans, sheets, industrial paint, et cetera.

• In seemingly direct contrast from its use with paint, dibasic ester is also considered an excellent stripping agent. It can easily clean through resin and paint, polyurethane, coatings, inks, and other polar substances. Many metropolitan areas use dibasic ester to remove graffiti and spray paint from building façades. The slow evaporation rate of dibasic ester means it can be applied to a surface and work through the grime or coating over time without any necessary reapplication.

• As a cleaner, dibasic ester is not caustic to the environment, which has led many organizations to incorporate this chemical into their cleaning regimen. Used with other esters or solvents, a unique formula can be created for varied uses. Because dibasic ester evaporates slowly, it can be repeatedly used after recycling. Many industrial solvents have been placed on the environmental watch list; dibasic ester can replace several of these more dangerous chemicals.

• The plastics industry utilizes dibasic ester in a variety of ways including as intermediates for polyester polyols for urethanes. Polyester and epoxy find dibasic ester the perfect ingredient to create a sealing coat.

• Soil stabilization is an agricultural facet of dibasic ester, which is also added to pesticides and insecticides.

• Other applications include its use in liquid detergents, in corrosion inhibition, and for textile lubrication.

Dibasic ester might be the perfect industrial chemical for your organization. Whether you are cleaning an area, stripping paint from surfaces, or coating surfaces to deter corrosion, dibasic ester is a good choice for your business and the environment. Call Bell Chem, leading industrial chemical suppliers, today at 407-339-2355 (BELL) to order dibasic ester. Our blog lists many of our other chemicals and food ingredients for your perusal.

Sodium Citrate FCC Dihydrate

Disodium hydrogen citrate, commonly referred to as sodium citrate dihydrate, is an acid salt of citric acid and has the chemical formula Na2C6H6O7. The Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) variety meets all guidelines deeming it appropriate for use in foods, beverages, and pharmaceutical products. Bell Chem, the food ingredient supplier in Orlando, has found sodium citrate dihydrate useful in emulsification, as an antioxidant, to regulate acidity, et cetera. Read below for a short description of the uses of sodium citrate FFC dihydrate and more.

• When added to cheese, sodium citrate dihydrate allows cheese to melt without appearing greasy since it easily emulsifies oil. Sodium citrate dihydrate locks oil into the cheese and keeps it from oozing onto the surface.
• As a sequestrant, sodium citrate dihydrate improves both the stability and quality of foods. Acting as a preservative, sequestrants prevent the oxidation of fats. When fats oxidize, they can easily form free radicals that break down the product and cause spoilage.
• Sodium citrate dihydrate acts as an antioxidant in other foods as well. By stopping oxidation within any product, sodium citrate dihydrate minimizes product damage.
• Regulating acids during the processing of foods is another function of sodium citrate dihydrate. When the chemical pH of foods is stabilized, they last longer and have a greater tendency to retain their proper taste and texture.

Sodium citrate dihydrate is a powerful food additive with far-ranging uses, as briefly outlined above. The food ingredient supplier in Orlando, Bell Chem, proudly stocks this product as well as an abundance of other food-related ingredients. Our inventory encompasses other industries as well, including water treatment, beauty care and nutrition, sanitation, and reagent-grade chemicals. Give Bell Chem a call today at 407-339-2355 (BELL) to learn about our inventory, and read the Bell Chem blog for an in-depth look at many of our chemicals and services offered.

Calcium Propionate FCC Crystal

Calcium propionate (Ca(C2H5COO)2) is a calcium salt of propanoic acid, which accounts for its alternate name, calcium propanoate. The “FCC” added to its name indicates this food additive complies to the rigorous Food Chemicals Codex regulations and is suitable for human consumption. In its crystal form, calcium propionate has larger granules than in powder form. Bell Chem, the Orlando food ingredient supplier, stocks calcium propionate because of its use as a preservative and mold inhibitor.

• Bakeries struggle with the ever-present threat of mold. Mold can detrimentally affect inventory levels of any baked good unless a mold inhibitor is a recipe ingredient. Calcium propionate fills this need by inhibiting mold growth, which extends product shelf life.
• Processed meats, such as deli meats, canned meats, and meat pastes containing calcium propionate, have a much longer shelf life because of the preservative properties found in this important food additive.
• Whey, yogurt, kefir, and other dairy products with calcium propionate added have an extended shelf life and a drastic reduction in mold and bacteria infiltration.
• While calcium propionate performs the same duties as benzoates – preventing microbes from producing energy – calcium propionate can work in a wider pH range since it works in either a neutral or basic environment as well as the standard acidic state benzoates need to perform properly.  
• The citrus industry utilizes calcium propionate as a fungicide on oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and any other type of citrus fruit. Many other fruits, even those not considered acidic, take advantage of the fungicidal properties found in calcium propionate.

With so many uses in the food industry, it is no wonder calcium propionate crystal is frequently called upon as a dependable food ingredient. To learn more about calcium propionate crystal and other ingredients and chemicals, call the Orlando food ingredient supplier, Bell Chem, at 407-339-2355 (BELL), and speak with one of our knowledgeable consultants. Read the Bell Chem blog for information on many of the chemicals and food products in our extensive inventory.

Sodium Acetate FCC

Sodium acetate has the chemical formula CH3COONa or NaOAc. This sodium salt of acetic acid can be utilized in a wide variety of differing industries such as the textile industry, in rubber production, and in the process of cotton, for instance. Bell Chem, the Orlando food ingredient supplier, also stocks this important substance in its Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) form which is used for food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and any other form that may be consumed by humans. Below are a few of the many uses of sodium acetate FCC.

• Salt and vinegar potato chips owe their zing to sodium acetate when it takes on the form of sodium diacetate (sodium acetate combined with acetic acid). This combination of a salt and an acid provides both flavors people crave.
• Processed and ripening cheeses, cheese analogues and powders, and dairy products such as buttermilk, sour cream, condensed milk, and yogurt appreciate sodium acetate’s emulsifying and preserving properties.
• Canning and drying fruits and vegetables requires an additive such as sodium acetate to prevent bacterial growth as well as to preserve the produce. Sodium acetate serves the same purpose for preserved nuts and legumes and is a common ingredient to peanut butter.
• Canned meat and deli meats contain sodium acetate as a preservative. Canned fish, such as sardines, fish pastes, and fermented shellfish, also use sodium acetate to preserve their meat products.
• Sodium acetate is common in commercially prepared desserts since it acts as an emulsifier in ice cream, pudding, and custard, keeping ingredients from separating. Chocolate, candy and icing, sorbet, and sherbet all contain sodium acetate as a preservative as well as an emulsifier.
• In spreads with fat as their basic ingredient, such as mustard, broths, sauces, and butter blends, sodium acetate acts as an emulsifier and a preservative.

Sodium acetate FCC is a clear winner to stock in your storeroom. With its abundant uses, it’s a good thing Bell Chem stocks this product in volume! Give the Orlando food ingredient supplier Bell Chem a call today to 407-339-2355 (BELL) to learn more about sodium acetate and Bell Chem’s entire line of ingredients and chemicals specific to food preparation. Our website contains information on various products and services; read our blogs to learn even more about our inventory.

Product Spotlight: Vegetable Glycerine 99.7%

Vegetable glycerine 99.7% is produced primarily from soy, palm, or coconut oil, although other oils may also be used in its manufacture. Glycerine is odorless, colorless, viscous (thick), and has a sweet taste. Purer forms of glycerine – above 99% - are the standard for use in foods, pharmaceutical products, and cosmetics. Below are only a few uses of the Orlando food ingredient supplier, Bell Chem’s, vegetable glycerine 99.7%.

• Cosmetics: Glycerine is a humectant, attracting water to the skin. This makes it ideal for use in lotions, shampoos, and conditioners.
• Foods: Because it is metabolized differently than table sugar, glycerine can replace sugar in low carbohydrate foods, keeping the amount of sweet taste the same. Glycerol contains seven more kilocalories per teaspoon compared to table sugar and is 60% as sweet as sucrose. When added to products such as icing, it increases spreadability without setting into a hard, tough shell.
• Personal care: When added to toothpaste and mouthwash, glycerine sweetens the taste but is not a food source for the bacteria that form plaques and cause tooth decay. Glycerine soaps draw moisture to the skin’s surface and prevent that moisture from escaping into the surrounding atmosphere as evaporation. For consumers with extra dry or sensitive skin, glycerine soap is the perfect alternative for skin care.
• Herbal and botanical tinctures: Glycerine can replace the alcoholic content in herbal and botanical tinctures to give products more body and none of the alcohol odor. For those who wish for alcohol-free herbal and botanical products, glycerine is ideal.
• Pharmaceuticals: Humectants boost the solubility of active ingredients, so glycerine delivers products more effectively as either a topical application, where the medicine is absorbed into the skin more rapidly, or in capsule form, where glycerine is considered a tablet-holding agent. Cough syrups and elixirs have improved smoothness with glycerine.

Glycerine is a multi-use product utilized in several different food and beverage industries. Because it can be used as a humectant, solvent, preservative, filler and thickening agent, and sweetener, glycerine serves several roles in one easy to use product. Contact Bell Chem, your Orlando food ingredient supplier, at 407-339-2355 (BELL) to order glycerine 99.7% or any of our other products.

Product Spotlight: Citric Acid FCC

Citric acid is a white or colorless crystal with no odor that occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables, most notably citrus fruits, including oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and tangerines. The “FCC” is Food Chemicals Codex and is a guide on the standards of food purity, and citric acid FCC is guaranteed to be pure and fit for consumption. Many industries use citric acid for its versatility. The Orlando food ingredient supplier, Bell Chem stocks this product and hundreds of others for its customers. To learn the value of citric acid FCC, read below.

• Citric acid is widely used in beverages as a flavor enhancer to give sodas a crisp, tangy taste. This flavor is also highly prized in candy, gum, and other products that appreciate a zing of lemon, lime, or orange flavor.
• Although it is considered a weak acid, citric acid is one of the strongest acids that can be consumed, which makes it perfect for foods and beverages.
• As an acidifier, citric acid is used in both industrial and home canning since it raises the pH of fruits, vegetables, or other canned products without affecting the taste.
• Citric acid is a chelating agent, meaning it adheres to metals and removes them from their surroundings. Citric acid is able to safely remove metals from products associated with foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and beverages.
• In products with high pH levels, citric acid acts as a buffer to bring the pH down to levels more precise for consumption. Pharmaceuticals, foods, and beverages use citric acid for this role.
• In ice cream and other products, citric acid acts as an emulsifier to keep fats from separating and clumping.
• Caramel would undergo crystallization of its sucrose component without citric acid.
• Dyes are normally basic, so citric acid is added to balance the pH and cause the dyes to react more promptly to their intended materials. Surprisingly, shampoo rinses containing citric acid remove hair dye!
• Citric acid is a food preservative, extending the shelf life of many products.

With its wide range of applications, it is no wonder so many manufacturers turn to citric acid as a multi-use product. Call the Orlando food ingredient supplier at Bell Chem today by calling 407-339-2355 (BELL) to learn about their vast array of products. Read the blogs for facts concerning food ingredients, supplements, chemicals, personal care products, and sanitation chemicals.

Kosher Products: Part Two

Kosher ingredients, like kosher foods, must follow strict dietary guidelines put forth in the Torah to ensure consumption falls within the parameters of all the Torah’s laws. Bell Chem, the Tampa food ingredient supplier, understands the importance many people place in kosher foods and recognizes that food additives are also required to be kosher in order to be part of a kosher meal, whether the meal is fresh from the market or a packaged delight waiting patiently in the pantry.

While the following products are all kosher, each one is not necessarily a food additive. Some, such as urea, are primarily used in the fields of plants that will eventually be processed and served at a kosher table. Others are added while the food is processed, such as sodium citrate, which acts as a preservative. The third category can be added to a kosher kitchen for home preparation, such as citric acid FCC, a common ingredient in canning fruits and vegetables.

• White mineral oil 90 NF: This mineral oil has a National Formulary (NF) rating of 90, meaning it has a good viscosity and is easily pourable. Generally used in dough dividers and other confectionary applications, white mineral oil easily slides through and separates the stickiest of flour mixtures for clean, even amounts every time.
• Canola oil: This oil, derived from rapeseed, was developed in Canada in the 1970s. The name is a shorthand version of Canada ola (“oil”). Canola oil can replace any other oils – sunflower, olive, or peanut oil, for instance – with healthier benefits than other oils since it is low in saturated fats and abundant in polyunsaturated fats.
• Granular urea: This is the most widely used nitrogen fertilizer on the planet because of its affordability, ease of use, and abundance. Plants require nitrogen for growth and maintenance, and since urea has to step down to ammonia before being converted to nitrogen, it is long lasting.
• Citric acid FCC: This ingredient has many important roles in food preparation. It acts as a preservative, acidifier and buffer, emulsifier, and flavor enhancer. Soft drinks, food station cleaners, packaged foods, canning operations, and ice creams all have a use for citric acid.
• Sodium citrate dihydrate FCC: This ingredient combines the sodium salt of citric acid with two water molecules to create a food preservative, flavor additive, alkalizing and buffering agent, emulsifier, and sequestering product.
• Fructose crystalline FCC: This ingredient is as close to 100% pure fructose as possible. By definition, at least 98% of the product is pure with the remaining 2% as a combination of water and minerals. With a taste that is 20% sweeter than table sugar, fructose crystalline is becoming increasingly popular.
• Triple-pressed stearic acid: This blend of saturated fatty acids is generally colorless, waxy, and has a “fatty” odor. In foods, stearic acid acts as an emulsifier, keeping fats properly mixed in ingredients.

Call the Tampa food ingredient supplier, Bell Chem, at 407-339-2355 (BELL) to learn more about their wide line of kosher ingredients and products. Our blogs discuss many kosher additives and products as well as many of the standard food, cosmetic, and sanitation chemicals and products stocked by Bell Chem.

Product Spotlight: Maltodextrin

Bell Chem sells a wide variety of products, but not all are as versatile and valuable to food and drink processors as maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate food additive produced from corn, potato, rice, or wheat starch. Maltodextrin is generally sold in powder form and varies in taste from flavorless to sweet. The Tampa food ingredient supplier, Bell Chem, stocks maltodextrin for its myriad uses, including those listed below.

Processed foods, soft drinks, soups, gravies, and candy all use maltodextrin as a thickener or filler to increase the volume without altering the taste. It also acts as a preservative to extend the shelf life of products.

Beer breweries find that maltodextrin increases the specific gravity of the beer, reduces the dryness of the drink, improves the “mouthfeel” of beer, and enhances beer’s head retention. Because yeast cannot ferment it, maltodextrin will not increase beer’s alcohol content.

When maltodextrin is added to light peanut butter, it retains the well-loved creamy texture while reducing fat content by over 20%.

As a thickener, maltodextrin is added to infant formula, most sugar substitutes such as Splenda and aspartame, and other food products to increase the volume of the product.

The combination of maltodextrin and corn syrup remarkably sweetens products to the same level as using table sugar. Products that require thickening as well as sweetening, such as those listed above, benefit from the addition of maltodextrin.

Pharmaceutical-quality maltodextrin is a free-flowing, fine-grained thickener and direct compression binder added to lozenges, tablets, and nutritional products.

The ability to perform several functions simultaneously gives maltodextrin an edge over other ingredients and additives. Maltodextrin is an extremely versatile product used in food and drink processing and can help processors achieve a variety of goals ranging from sweetening to thickening.

Give the Tampa food ingredient supplier, Bell Chem, a call today at 407-339-2355 (BELL) or reach out to us through our online form. Our representatives would love to speak with you concerning Maltodextrin or any of our other food ingredients and products that we offer. Additionally, visit our blog to learn more about other Bell Chem products and services.  

Kosher Products

The Hebrew word kashrut means proper or right; applied to food it becomes kashrus and describes foods fit for consumption. The Torah lists methods for foods – both animals and vegetables – to be prepared before they may be consumed. Bell Chem, your Orlando food ingredient supplier, carries many food ingredients and products that meet the stringent guidelines of kosher certification and may be utilized in food preparation and cooking. Below are a number of those products and how they may relate to food.

-  Ascorbic Acid USP Crystal: Used as an acidity regulator as well as an antioxidant to keep foods from spoiling, ascorbic acid also boosts the levels of Vitamin C in processed foods. When foods are processed, the heat and water work to reduce or destroy Vitamin C. After processing is complete, ascorbic acid increases the lowered Vitamin C levels to pre-processing totals.

- Propylene Glycol: As a humectant, propylene glycol maintains food moisture levels; as a solvent, it is a viscous liquid carrier of ingredients; as a preservative it helps foods retain freshness.

- 99.7% Vegetable Glycerin: Much like propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin acts as a humectant, solvent, and a preservative. Its sweet taste also gives it the ability to sweeten products.

- Citric Acid FCC: As an emulsifier, citric acid keeps fats from separating or sugar from crystallizing; the buffering acid stabilizes pH; and added to sodium bicarbonate, citric acid creates effervescence.

- Tri-calcium phosphate FCC: This nutritional supplement of calcium promotes bone growth and repair. As a buffer, it is used frequently as an antacid, and cheese manufacturers use tri-calcium phosphate in cheese processing.

- White mineral oil 70% NF food: Rubbed into wooden food preparation surfaces, white mineral oil 70% absorbs food odors and expedites cleaning because it prevents water absorption.

The ability to create kosher foods using kosher ingredients and preparation techniques is now easier with help from your Orlando food ingredient supplier, Bell Chem. Give Bell Chem a call at 407-339-2355 (BELL) for a listing of all our kosher products, and read our blogs for more information on our products.

Sodium Chlorite

Sodium chlorite has uses in a number of industries, from textiles and papers to foods and pharmaceuticals. The Tampa chemical supplier, Bell Chem, stocks sodium chlorite (NaClO2) for its clients to use in any of the following manners as well as many more.

- Sodium chlorite breaks down to generate chlorine dioxide, which is utilized in the bleaching and stripping of pulp and paper.

- Municipal water treatment plants find that sodium chlorite can be used as a disinfectant when it is converted to chlorine dioxide.

- The converted form of chlorine dioxide is also an approved form of disinfectant added to water for cleaning poultry, fruits, and vegetables.

- The chlorine component of sodium chlorite is an excellent disinfectant used in bleaching.

- Mouthwash, toothpaste, mouth spray, and eye drops all contain sodium chlorite as a preservative and disinfectant.

- HVAC systems and animal containment areas can be quickly sanitized with sodium chlorite.

- The food industry uses sodium chlorite because of its antimicrobial, sterilizing, and water purifying properties.

- Hospitals sterilize equipment and clinic rooms with sodium chlorite, and the meat industry utilizes sodium chlorite as a disinfectant.

- Sodium chlorite destroys all anaerobic microbes and parasites, which makes it ideal for areas that must be sterilized. In food preparation, sodium chlorite performs these functions, but, if ingested, will not damage the beneficial lactobacteria in the digestive system.

- The oxidizing properties of sodium chlorite, which, as noted above, kill microbes and parasites, give it the strength to work as a pesticide and herbicide.

With so many applications, sodium chlorite is a chemical almost every industry will benefit in stocking. Call the Tampa chemical supplier, Bell Chem, at 407-339-2355 (BELL) to ask about sodium chlorite and any of the other chemicals and products we stock. Read our past blogs for information on many of our growing line of products.