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Calcium Propionate Crystal
Years ago, the baking industry faced a problem with its yeast-based products: how can we extend the shelf life of products without compromising the taste of the product? And if that is possible, how will a preservative affect the health of our consumers? Enter calcium propionate crystal to answer these questions! Many bakers believed the cooking process killed all the molds within their baked goods and no preservative was necessary. However, spores in the air and on the equipment – especially in a hot, humid environment – contaminated many of the products, thereby significantly reducing the shelf life of yeast-based breads. Calcium propionate, which can be obtained from an Orlando chemical supply company, mixes easily with flour while the dough is processed and has no taste or effect on health.
Bakeries are not the only industries utilizing this marvelous chemical. Calcium propionate is highly regarded in agricultural industries as a mold inhibitor in animal feed and as a preventer of mycotoxins (fungal poisons) because of its ability to inhibit microbes from producing the life-giving energy necessary for survival. The cattle industry has found that calcium propionate prevents milk fever, a form of calcium deficiency, in its dairy stock. It also has uses as a food additive and preservative to prevent mold in processed meat, tobacco products, whey and other dairy products, or in any other product where mold growth is an issue. Calcium propionate may also be used as a fungicide on fruit or as a pesticide.
Although calcium propionate crystal is naturally occurring in some cheeses and butter, it is typically produced synthetically by combining propionic acid with calcium hydroxide to produce a white crystal, crystalline powder, or granular form of calcium propionate. It may either be odorless or have a slightly acidic odor. Studies have proven that calcium propionate is one of the safest food additives used in the food industry today. Combine this with its solubility in water, its inexpensive cost, and its non-toxicity, and calcium propionate crystal has proven itself as a leader in food preservation.
As a top Orlando chemical supply company, Bell Chem offers fast delivery of any of our hundreds of chemical products including sodium chloride. Our Orlando chemical supply company is positioned as the “go to” supplier on a national, as well as international level. Give us a call today at 407-339-BELL (2355) to place an order for chemical products!
Microcrystalline Cellulose - MCC 102
Look in your medicine cabinet and you will probably find at least one bottle of acetaminophen, known typically by the brand name Tylenol. If you have ever taken Tylenol, you have also ingested microcrystalline cellulose, a refined wood pulp. Why would the pharmaceutical industry incorporate wood pulp into tablets and pills? Microcrystalline cellulose is an excipient, or an inactive ingredient added to bulk up an active ingredient to allow exact dosages of each medicine within tablet form. This granular white ingredient forms into hard tablets that dissolve quickly in a solvent, which makes it ideal for medicinal purposes. Microcrystalline cellulose can also be used as a texturizer, a substitute for fat, in plaque assays to count viruses, as a stabilizer, a bulking agent in processed food production, an anti-caking agent, an emulsifier, and an extender.
How does microcrystalline cellulose differ from standard cellulose? Although cellulose is Earth’s most abundant organic material, microcrystalline cellulose must be derived via high quality wood pulp before it can be distributed by an Orlando chemical supply company and used in pharmaceuticals. This refinement of microcrystalline cellulose meets United States Pharmacopeia standards, and is approved for use in medicines. Microcrystalline cellulose 102 consists mainly of single cellulose fibers. While other substances may also be used as binders for pharmaceuticals, microcrystalline cellulose has proven to be less friable, smoother to swallow in tablet form, and has the potential to maintain its compressed form when diluted with another material.
The pharmaceutical industry is not alone in its utilization of this odorless, tasteless, white powder. Many foods contain microcrystalline cellulose for stability, especially soups, sauces, and other substances requiring consistent semi-liquid textures. Another use for microcrystalline cellulose is as an anti-caking agent in many products as well as a dietary fiber. Also, whipped toppings and icings sometimes replace fats (as in many reduced-fat foods) with microcrystalline cellulose. As molecular gastronomy increases in popularity, many inventive chefs are turning to Orlando chemical supply companies to purchase microcrystalline cellulose.
At our Orlando chemical supply company, microcrystalline cellulose is just one of the many chemical products we offer. In addition to nutritional chemical products, we stock many hard to find tech-grade chemicals and custom compounds. Our chemicals are used in a wide range of applications such as health and nutrition, personal rare care materials, pharmaceuticals, coatings, and industrial applications. Call us at 407-339-BELL (2355) for a full list of our chemical products.
Whey, Grade A
As a child, you may have recited the Little Miss Muffet nursery rhyme about the young girl who ate her “curds and whey.” You may have wondered, “what is whey?” When milk is manually separated in the process of making cheese and cottage cheese, a plasma-like solid is produced as well as a watery, yellow serum that rises to the top of the container. This watery substance is whey, while the other portion, with manipulation and heat, eventually becomes cheese.
Until recently, whey was merely a by-product of the cheesemaking process and was traditionally tossed away as refuse. However, later chemical examination proved the usefulness of whey; it is currently used in several industries for a variety of purposes and can be found at an Orlando chemical supply company as well as in grocery and nutrition stores. Whey is distinguished by grades, in that “Grade A” whey is produced with Grade A milk in a Grade A facility.
What was in the chemical composition of whey that caused such a stir in industries? How did whey become such a powerhouse in health and bodybuilding? Along with lactose – milk sugar – and vitamins and minerals, whey contains proteins. In fact, whey contains a significant amount of perfect proteins since it encompasses all the essential amino acids in perfect proportions. Because the demands of weightlifting and an active lifestyle tax the body’s muscles, protein is necessary to maintain and supply proper growth. Many health conscious individuals supplement their diet with whey in the form of a white or cream-colored powder, which is created after the watery portion is removed via precipitation, filtration, or other means. Because it is either tasteless or bland in flavor, whey is easily added to liquids for a healthy, nutritious snack. However, bodybuilders are not the only individuals who benefit from whey. Recent research proves whey may assist in memory retention, reduce cancer rates, improve immunity, and protect the body from dangerous diseases.
Whey has other uses as well. Product developers apply this useful ingredient in baked goods and confections, beverages, dairy and meat products, soups and sauces, salad dressings, etc. Since its humble beginnings as a by-product, researchers are finding new, healthy uses for whey every day.
As a leading Orlando chemical supply company, Bell Chem offers fast delivery of hundreds of chemical products including EDTA. With several seaports located within a few short hours, our Orlando chemical supply company is positioned as the “go to” supplier on a national and international level. To learn more about our products, including Grade A whey, call Bell Chem today at 407-339-2355.
Potassium Sorbate
Potassium sorbate occurs naturally in a handful of a few varieties of berries, but is more widely recognized in a synthetic form. It is highly soluble in water, at which time its white crystalline powder structure degenerates to sorbic acid and potassium. Potassium sorbate is odorless and tasteless; combined with its high solubility and availability in a wide pH range it is ideal for food and beverage usage. Potassium sorbate inhibits yeast and mold growth, which leads to its widespread use in wineries and food preservative industries, including its addition in cheese and yogurt, dried and processed fruits and meats, and ciders. As you may have noted, many of the products listed in the last sentence have the ability to be stored at room temperature while still maintaining its ability to prevent microbe and mold development; that is indeed one of the strengths of potassium sorbate. This factor gives potassium sorbate ready availability to be added to many personal care products, such as shampoos and lotions, and herbal dietary supplements to extend shelf life by preventing microbial growth, in which case it may be listed as E202.
However, many manufacturers instead choose to coat food exteriors or wax wrappers with potassium sorbate, which will not alter the contents of the food while still offering potassium sorbate’s positive advantages. In wine and other substances, potassium sorbate breaks down into sorbic acid, which deters yeast from proliferating, thereby discouraging additional fermentation.
The next time you drink a glass of wine or eat a fruit-filled yogurt cup, thank potassium sorbate for making your snack enjoyable.
As a leading chemical supply company in Orlando, Bell Chem offers fast delivery of hundreds of chemical products including Potassium sorbate. With several seaports located within a few short hours, our Florida chemical supply company is positioned as the “go to” supplier on a national and international level. To learn more about our products, call Bell Chem today at 407-339-2355.
Jeffcool P200 (Propylene Glycol, Inhibited)
Propylene glycol, commonly used as a heat transfer fluid in heating, vacuum, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, is often marketed as inhibited, which simply means a corrosion inhibitor has been added to protect many of the metals used in HVAC systems. Jeffcool P200 is the trade name for propylene glycol, inhibited. Inhibited propylene glycol is noncorrosive and safe to use around foods and beverages. Propylene glycol has the chemical formula C3H8O2 and is a viscous liquid with slight opacity and no discernible color, a faintly sweet taste, and a slight odor. The inhibited form of propylene glycol has been found to be a better choice as a coolant for heat transfer systems than brine solutions (a mixture of salt and fresh water), ammonia or water; it improves the capacity to transfer heat while lowering costs to maintain the units. Along with HVAC systems, Jeffcool P200 is also used extensively in the fields of
Beer brewing to cool fermentation tanks, and yeast and beer storage tanks
Winemaking as the cooling medium
Packaged foods in immersion freezing
Frozen foods to defrost cooling coils in freezing tunnels
Snow melting as a heat transfer fluid
Ice rinks as a coolant
Dairy and food industries as a cooling agent
Chemical industry to produce polyurethanes
Food and tobacco industries as a preservative
Pharmaceutical industry as a solvent in oral, topical, and injectable medicines
Aircraft industry as a de-icing fluid
Dog food manufacturing as an additive, and
Carbonated beverage packaging.
Propylene glycol has been used industrially for over fifty years with outstanding results. With its myriad of functions, manufacturers are certain to continue utilizing it for decades to come.
Bell Chem, a checmical supplier in Orlando, offers a wide variety of chemicals for your industry needs. Contact a specialist today to learn more about propylene glycol today.
Sodium Citrate Dihydrate
Sodium citrate dihydrate (C6H5O7Na3 . 2H2O) is a colorless, odorless granular or powdery buffering agent derived from citric acid. The buffering properties of sodium citrate dihydrate enable its use in the food industry, medical industry, and cleaning industry, among others. In the food industry, sodium citrate dihydrate is utilized as a preservative with a sour taste comparable to citric acid, as well as a salty taste due to the sodium in its chemical makeup. Other applications in the food industry include
pH control – in combination with citric acid – of many foods and beverages due to its buffering properties
flavoring
emulsifying salt used primarily in processed cheese products
anticoagulant of fresh livestock blood in meat products
curing accelerator and, as mentioned previously,
preservative.
The medical industry uses sodium citrate dihydrate as a buffer to control pH in much the same manner it interacts with foods. It is also utilized as an alkalizing agent, an emulsifier, a plugging agent, and a sequestering agent. The buffering properties of sodium citrate dihydrate are used in the treatment of cystitis as well as rapid loss of fluids in the body due to heavy perspiration or intestinal disruptions.
Another common use for sodium citrate dihydrate is in household cleaning products. Its ability to build detergents and its expedient biodegrading ability make sodium citrate dihydrate environmentally advantageous.
As a leading chemical supply company in Orlando, Bell Chem offers fast delivery of hundreds of chemical products including sodium glucoheptonate. With several seaports located within a few short hours, our Florida chemical supply company is positioned as the “go to” supplier on a national and international level. To learn more about our products, call Bell Chem today at 407-339-2355.
Sodium Glucoheptonate
Sodium glucoheptonate (C7H13NaO8) is an industrial dream cleaner. This light tan, crystalline powder is regularly used to clean industrial tubs at food processing plants as well as dairies and breweries. It is also utilized for paint stripping as a degreaser, for glass cleaning, and aluminum etching. Its ability to chelate metals – reducing adverse effects metals have on systems – and to sequester calcium to keep it from clumping elevate sodium glucoheptonate to a class all its own. Yet there is another side of sodium glucoheptonate. It is also used to mercerize cotton, linen, hemp, and other plant-based fibers to increase strength and add luster to their overall appearance of threads and fabrics. The paper industry prevents iron staining by taking advantage of the chelating effects of sodium glucoheptonate. Leather tanning also relies on sodium glucoheptonate as part of its masking process to inhibit excess precipitation during the chemical processing of the product.
The benefits of sodium glucoheptonate include, but are not limited to
sequestration and/or chelation (“chelation” is derived from the Greek word chele or “crab’s claw” – quite appropriate for a chemical that “grabs” ions!)
stability over a wide pH range
biodegradability, and its
non-hazardous nature
As a leading chemical supply company in Orlando, Bell Chem offers fast delivery of hundreds of chemical products including sodium glucoheptonate. With several seaports located within a few short hours, our Florida chemical supply company is positioned as the “go to” supplier on a national and international level. To learn more about our products, call Bell Chem today at 407-339-2355.
Phosphoric acid 85%
Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) naturally occurs as a white solid or a colorless, viscous (thick) liquid and is derived from phosphate rock. The percentage – in this case, 85% - is determined by how much of this thick liquid or solid is added to one liter of water; hence “phosphoric acid 85%” signifies a mixture of 15% water and 85% phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid 85% has a wide range of uses for the chemical industry, including
food additives
phosphoric acid is the only acid used in colas since its “bite” is complementary to the cola flavor
phosphoric acid is added to jams and jellies to enhance preservative properties and jelly clarity
the weakly acidic salt of phosphoric acid (NaH2PO) is combined with sodium bicarbonate to create baking soda
metal cleaning and rust removal
chemical industries
catalyzes the “setting” of resins
dental practice
removes plaque, and
orthodontic applications
cleans teeth and abrades tooth surfaces before dental appliances are inserted.
Because phosphoric acid 85% has a pH below 7, it carries acidic characteristics, such as corrosive behaviors and/or bitter taste. Examples of the corrosive behaviors include metal and dental cleaning, while the bitter taste is most obviously noted in cola beverages. Knowing these properties, how is phosphoric acid able to pull off the added responsibility of improving the shelf life of jelly? Along with its catalytic properties, which would cause corrosion or cleansing properties, phosphoric acid is also dehydrating – it causes water to leave a system. Since water contributes to shortened shelf life when it lurks within a product, adding phosphoric acid elongates the storage time of many foods. Realizing this property, along with the fact that phosphoric acid 85% is a stable chemical that does not react violently; it is obvious why phosphoric acid is widely utilized in such a vast array of applications.
As a leading chemical supply company in Orlando, Bell Chem offers fast delivery of hundreds of chemical products including sodium glucoheptonate. With several seaports located within a few short hours, our Florida chemical supply company is positioned as the “go to” supplier on a national and international level. To learn more about our products, call Bell Chem today at 407-339-2355.
What You Didn’t Know About Guar Gum
Guar gum, an off-white powder also known as guaran, is made from ground guar beans, which are de-husked, milled and screened. Guar beans are grown throughout India and Australia, as well as the United States, Pakistan, China and Africa. However, India is the main producer of guar beans, producing over a million tonnes each year and accounting for over 3/4 of the production worldwide. Guar gum has many industrial and food applications, as the largest market for this chemical product is the food industry. Some of the most popular food applications include:
In canned soup, guar gum is used as a thickener/stabilizer.
In sauces, salad dressings, ketchups, relishes and other condiments, guar gum enhances the appearance and stability.
For dairy products like milk, liquid cheese and yogurt, guar gum acts as a food thickener. For food products such as ice creams and sherbets, guar gum helps maintain a uniform texture throughout by preventing ice crystals from forming.
In baked goods, guar gum improves texture, as well as shelf life. It also increases dough yield.
Some of the most popular industrial applications include:
In the textile industry, guar gum is used for sizing, finishing and printing.
In the explosives industry, guar gum is used as a waterproofing agent.
In the pharmaceutical industry, guar gum is used as a binder and disintegrator in tablets.
In medical institutions, guar gum is used to thicken liquids and foods for patients with dysphagia. It is also known to treat diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, and diabetes, as well as reduce cholesterol.
At our Orlando chemical supply company, guar gum is just one of the many nutritional chemical products we offer. We also stock many hard to find tech-grade chemicals, USP ingredients and custom compounds. Call us at 407-339-BELL (2355) for a full list of our chemical products.
Malic Acid and Its Many Uses
Malic acid, an organic compound made by all living organisms as part of the citric acid cycle, is crystalline in structure, water soluble, and colorless. Malic acid was first isolated from apple juice in 1785 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a Swedish chemist. This chemical gets its name from this event, as the Latin word for apple is malum. Malic acid plays an important role in giving foods, specifically fruits, their pleasant sour taste. Malic acid is commonly used as a food additive in foods like potato chips and candy. Instead of using citric acid to create the sour taste, candies that require a more intense sour flavor use malic acid. Salt and vinegar flavored chips use malic acid to produce that appealing tart taste.
One of the major health benefits that malic acid offers the human body is that it boosts your metabolism and the ability for your body to produce energy. Without sufficient levels of malic acid in your body, you would age quicker because your body loses its ability to produce energy efficiently. This chemical also helps muscle soreness and prevents muscle fatigue. For this reason, malic acid is used to treat the intense muscle pain caused by fibromyalgia.
In addition, malic acid is found in many hygiene and skin care products. In mouthwash, this chemical aids in dental hygiene by acting as an oral antiseptic and encouraging saliva production. When applied to skin, malic acid tightens pores, reduces wrinkles, and evens tone.
As a leading chemical supply company in Orlando, Bell Chem offers fast delivery of hundreds of chemical products including many food and reagent-grade products like malic acid. With an abundance of world-class seaports within just a few short hours, our Orlando chemical supply company is positioned as the “go to” supplier on a national, as well as international level. Give us a call today at 407-339-BELL (2355) to place an order!