Sodium tripolyphosphate

Chemical Properties

White powder. Two crystalline forms of anhydrous salt and a hexahy- drate.

Uses

Water softening; sequestering, peptizing, or deflocculating agent; food additive and texturizer.

Uses

Sodium Tripolyphosphate is a binder, stabilizer, and sequestrant that is mildly alkaline, with a ph of 10, and moderately soluble in water, with a solubility of 15 g in 100 ml of water at 25°c. it is used to improve the whipping properties of egg-containing angel food cake mix and meringues. it reduces gelling of juices and canned ham and tenderizes canned peas and lima beans. it is a moisture binder in cured pork and protects against discoloration and reduces shrinkage in sausage products. in algin desserts, it functions as a calcium sequestrant. it is also termed pentasodium tripolyphosphate and sodium triphosphate.

Safety Profile

Poison by intravenous route. Moderately toxic by ingestion, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal routes. Ingestion of large doses of sodium phosphates causes catharsis. Sodium metaand pyrophosphates can cause hemorrhages from the intestine if taken internally in large doses. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of POx and Na2O.