Polyphosphate

Polyphosphates are polymers of phosphoric acid which play an important role in bio-energetics of living cells.

Polyphosphates (E452 nutritional supplement) concern to special group of the additives intended for formation and preservation of a consistence and a form of foodstuff.

Polymers of phosphoric acid are widely applied in the food industry. In other industries they are used:

• For softening of water;
• For fiber degreasing;
• As corrosion inhibitor;
• As component of synthetic detergents, and also soap and laundry detergents.

Properties of polyphosphates

Polyphosphates were for the first time found in 1890 by the German biochemist L. Liberman who revealed them in cells of yeast then were studied their structure, functions and biochemical transformations.

Detection of properties of polyphosphates, and also the proof that high-molecular polymers of phosphoric acid at different stages of development possess important functions in a human body became result of these researches.

In a human body polyphosphates are in a type of salts of various ions of metals – calcium, magnesium, potassium and others. In cells they regulate the level of various cations. Also they participate in production of thrombocytes and play an important role in blood coagulation.

One more property of polyphosphates is their low-toxicity and ability to form biologically important complexes.

Use of polyphosphates in the food industry

In industrial production of food stuffs basic purpose of polyphosphates which are inhibitors and are capable to slow down chemical changes, preservation of taste and prevention of discoloration is.

This their property is connected with the moisture connecting ability and buffer capacity which are defined by length of a polyphosphatic chain and depend on a type of polyphosphate.

E452 nutritional supplement includes 5 types of polyphosphates:

• Polysodium phosphate – E452(I). Its formula – (NaPO3) of n;
• Polypotassium phosphate – E452(II). Its formula – K(n+2)O(PO3)n;
• Calcium-sodium polyphosphate – E452(III). Its formula – (Ca, Na) (PO3) of n;
• Polycalcium phosphate – E452(IV). Its formula – CanPnO(3n+1);
• Polyammonium phosphate – E452(V). Its formula – (NH4PO3) of n.

Depending on a type of products, a way of its preparation and requirements to storage period polyphosphates use in the different purposes – as catalysts, emulsifiers or stabilizers.

So, they are applied during the pickling of vegetables, conservation of meat products, in cheese making (as the emulsion stabilizer) and at production of the fast-frozen products (to moisture deduction).

According to the existing hygienic regulations of use of E452 nutritional supplement (polyammonium phosphate, polysodium phosphate, polypotassium phosphate) in Russia by production of products, its quantity should not exceed:

• In bakery, flour and confectionery and products – 20 g/kg;
• In cream – 5 g/l;
• In sauces – 5 g/kg;
• In ice cream – 1 g/kg;
• In milk – 1 g/l;
• In pasta – 2 g/kg;
• In cheeses – 2 g/kg;
• In butter – 2 g/kg;
• In processed cheeses – 20 g/kg;
• In alcoholic beverage products – 1 g/l;
• In margarine – 5 g/kg;
• In desserts – 3 g/kg.

Also polymers of phosphoric acid in the form of E452 add to the frozen fish and meat products, concentrates of soups and broths, artificially mineralized drinks and specialized drinks for athletes, dry and instant teas, salt and solezamenitel.

Harm of polyphosphates

In spite of the fact that use of E452 (polysodium phosphate, calcium-sodium polyphosphate, polyammonium phosphate) is authorized in the European Union countries and the CIS, many researches confirm harm of polyphosphates for health of the person.

At non-compliance with rates of application of E452 additive in products, these connections get to an organism in the quantities considerably exceeding necessary and can cause various frustration in an organism.

Thus, harm of polyphosphates consists in digestion disturbance that can cause vomiting and diarrhea.