Sodium metabisulfite is a sterilizer and antioxidant/preservative
Chemical formula
It has the chemical formula Na2S2O5, and is also known as disodium salt.
Uses
Food additive
It is used as a food additive, and is sometimes identified as E223. As an additive, it may cause allergic reactions, particularly skin irritation, gastric irritation and asthma. It is not recommended for consumption by children.
Sterilization / Cleaning agent
It is commonly used in homebrewing preparations to sterilize equipment.
It is also used as a cleaning agent for potable water reverse osmosis membranes in desalination systems.
Packaging
It can be purchased in powdered form, and is also the primary ingredient in campden tablets . In solid form it ranges in color from white to slightly yellow. Sodium metabisulfite is also used to remove chloramine from drinking water.
Chemical properties
Sodium metabisulfite releases sulfur dioxide when mixed with water, a foul-smelling gas that can also cause breathing difficulties in some people. For this reason, sodium metabisulfite has fallen from common use in recent times, with agents such as hydrogen peroxide becoming more popular for effective and odorless sterlization of equipment.
Sodium metabisulfite is also used to remove chlorine from drinking water after treatment, as well as many industrial uses.
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