Monosodium phosphate

Monosodium phosphate is a mineral white powder or crystal that exists in nuts, fish, meat, and egg naturally and has three forms of Anhydrous NaH2PO4 (salt), Monohydrate NaH2PO4.H2O, and Dihydrate NaH2PO4.2H2O.

This matter has lots of applications in different industries, such as food, medical and dental industries, cosmetics and personal care, etc.

It is known as monobasic sodium phosphate, Sodium dihydrogen phosphate, Sodium biphosphate too.

Properties

Molecular Formula	NaH2PO4
Molar mass	119.977 g/mol
PH	4.1-5
Appearance	White powder or crystals
Density	2.36g/cm3
Solubility	Soluble in water and insoluble in ethanol
Solubility in water	59.90 g/100 mL (0°C)
chemical structure

 

Producing

The producing process is the neutralization of Phosphoric acid by caustic soda or soda ash and the reaction is:

Na₂HPO₄ + H₃PO₄ → 2NaH₂PO₄

Applications

MSP has many applications in the chemical industry, water treatment, metal cleaning dyeing, and especially food.

Food

It is a buffer and acidity adjuster, water saver, improved the quality of evaporated milk, conservator and for meat, fish, milk, yogurt, etc.

This matter will increase the food thickness and softness, and also stabilize its texture. Because of these properties, it will be used in bread and salad dressings.

This matter also exists in baking powder as sequestrate and acidulate.

Totally there is MSP in jams, jellies, chocolate, fast foods, and so on.

For animal feed, because it is full of Na⁺ and PO₄³⁻, that’s a good source for their growth. Of course, it exists in human nutritional supplements too!

As an emulsifier and mixer of oil and water with each other, this is useful in some products like cheese.

Pharmacology

NaH₂PO₄ in pharmaceutical is a laxative that increases the water level in the small intestine. In this field, this matter is a buffer and sequestering agent.

Laboratory

This substance is a high buffering capacity reagent that is using in chemistry and biochemistry laboratories.

It is usable for producing other sodium phosphate salts such as (NaPO₃)₆, Na₅P₃O₁₀, etc.

MSP can detect the existence of Magnesium ions in salts with the formation of white precipitation.

Dentistry and toothpaste

MSP is effective in dentistry for restoring tooth enamel. It also preserves teeth cavities and is a buffer for the PH controller.

Furthermore above applications, NaH₂PO₄ are usable for producing different kinds of adhesives and Disinfectant bleaches.

Dangers

MSP is a nutrient in food and when it be in a limited amount has no side effect on the human.

FDA introduces this substance as a healthy matter but the reason is a low amount of NaH₂PO₄ in foods and researchers claim that the absorbance of sodium phosphate is different from phosphate, because of this it can be harmful and sometimes deadly for normal people and especially who has heart or kidney diseases.

A high level of phosphate can make humans older and hurt vessels. So it’s better to use natural sources instead of MSP.

Side effects of high MSP expenditure:

Vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, headache, and irregular heartbeat.

 

References:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/

https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

https://www.scbt.com/

https://www.chemicalbook.com/

https://foodadditives.net/

https://www.healthline.com/