Products
Sodium nitrate is available as a pure substance in specialized stores.
Structure and properties
Sodium nitrate (NaNO3, Mr = 84.99 g/mol) exists as a white, crystalline and hygroscopic powder and is readily soluble in water. Sodium nitrate is the sodium salt of nitric acid. Structure: Na+NO3–
Effects
Sodium nitrate is used together with common salt for curing meat and sausages. The actual active substance is nitrite, which is formed by bacteria (see also under nitrite curing salt). Nitrite has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It maintains the redness of the meat, which would otherwise turn gray, by reacting with myoglobin, resulting in nitrosomyoglobin. The process is called reddening. Curing salt also has an effect on the flavor of the meat, giving it the typical curing aroma. Sodium nitrate also has an oxidizing and oxidizing effect and can therefore be used, like potassium nitrate, in the manufacture of fireworks and explosives. It is one of the precursors for explosives.
Fields of application
Sodium nitrate is used as a food additive (E 251) for preserving meat and sausages. Other applications (selection):
- As a fertilizer
- For the production of fireworks
Adverse effects
A possible side effect of the use of nitrite is the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), also added to meat, inhibits the formation of nitrosamines.
