It is this substance that produces the characteristic color of cured meats and destroys the bacteria that can cause botulism. But there is some worry that bacteria are not all that nitrites destroy. Our health may also suffer as a result of excessive exposure. Concern about the relatively small amounts of nitrites used as food additives began in the 's when researchers noted that domestic animals fed fish meal preserved with nitrites were dying of liver failure.
The problem was traced to a group of compounds called nitrosamines, which formed by a chemical reaction between the naturally occurring amines in the fish and sodium nitrite. Nitrosamines are potent cancer causing agents and their potential presence in human foods became an immediate worry.
An examination of a wide variety of foods treated with nitrites revealed that nitrosamines could indeed form under certain conditions. Fried bacon, especially when "done to a crisp," consistently showed the presence of these compounds. So did hot dogs. And to our great horror, beer was also contaminated! How was this happening? In the case of meat, there was no great mystery.
When proteins break down during cooking they can yield amines which in turn react with nitrites to form nitrosamines. The beer issue took a bit of investigating before the problem was traced to the flame drying of malt. A diluted solution is sometimes sprayed on plant foliage to stimulate physiological processes or to overcome nutrient deficiencies. Foliar application of K during fruit development advantages some crops, since this growth stage often coincides with high K demands during the time of declining root activity and nutrient uptake.
Management practices. Both N and K are required by plants to support harvest quality, protein formation, disease resistance and water-use efficiency.
Potassium nitrate accounts for only a small portion of the global K fertilizer market. However, farmers must carefully manage the water to keep the nitrate from moving below the root zone.
Non-agricultural uses. It is one of the principal ingredients in gunpowder. Potassium nitrate is used to treat asthma and in topical formulations for sensitive teeth. It was once a popular medication for lowering blood pressure. Saltpeter is a component of condensed aerosol fire suppression systems, salt bridges in electrochemistry, heat treatment of metals, and for thermal storage in power generators.
It's a popular myth that saltpeter inhibits male libido. Rumors abound that saltpeter has been added to food in prison and military installations to curb sexual desire, but there is no evidence to support this has been done or would even work.
Saltpeter and other nitrates have a long history of medical use, but it is toxic in high doses and can produce symptoms ranging from a mild headache and upset stomach to kidney damage and dangerously altered pressure. LeConte, Joseph Instructions for the Manufacture of Saltpeter. Columbia, S. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.
Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads.
0コメント