Sodium Bicarbonate

Primarily used in baking as a leavening agent, it is also used to tenderise meat. As a medicine when mixed with water, it can be used as an antacid to treat acid indigestion and heartburn. It is also used widely in personal care products like toothpaste, and in mouthwashes due to its antiseptic properties.

Synonyms: Sodium hydrogen carbonate, Bicarbonate of soda, Carbonic acid monosodium salt, Baking soda, NaHCO3, Sodium Acid Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate
Chemical Formula: NaHCO3
CAS Number: 144-55-8

Characteristics

Molar Weight: 84.006g/mol

Melting Point: Decomposes starting at 50 °C

Flash Point: Incombustible

Density: 2.2 g/cc

Forms: Powder, White

Uses and Applications

Key applications

Beverage processing
Detergent
Food packaging
Buffer agent
Food additive
Water treatment
Cleaning products
pH control
Textile handling
Pharmaceuticals
Laundry products
Animal feed
Agricultural (non-pesticide)

Industries

Other applications of sodium hydrogen carbonate

Sodium hydrogen carbonate is added to fire extinguishing powders because it releases CO2 when heated. Sodium hydrogen carbonate also plays a role in agriculture; for example, it is used to combat fungal diseases and in dairy cattle feed.

In pest control, it is used as an agent against cockroaches and ants. Other, lesser-known uses are in aviation and environmental technology in flue gas cleaning systems. In toy rockets it acts as a propellant by forming the gas carbon dioxide together with vinegar or citric acid, is used as a blasting agent in abrasive blasting and for dissolving uranium in rock formations. Sodium hydrogen carbonate is also used in aquaristics and to regulate the water in swimming pools.

Sodium hydrogen carbonate

Sodium hydrogen carbonate, also known as bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate, is used in numerous industries, for example in the food industry, in the household, in the cosmetics industry or in medicine. The global production volume of sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) is in the six-digit ton range.

Properties of sodium hydrogen carbonate

Sodium hydrogen carbonate is a colorless and odorless crystalline solid. The white powder decomposes at a temperature of over 65°C with the elimination of water and carbon dioxide to form sodium carbonate. Among other minerals, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) occurs as the natural mineral nahcolite in the United States and some places in Europe.It is often found in oil shale and accordingly can be obtained as a byproduct of oil production.

Homemade waffles with berries in plate on grey wooden table

Sodium hydrogen carbonate in the food industry

In the food industry, sodium hydrogen carbonate has different name variants, such as food soda, baking soda, baking soda or food soda. This reveals the best-known application of sodium hydrogen carbonate: it is used as a leavening agent, i.e. as baking powder. Sodium hydrogen carbonate is also used as an effervescent powder. In addition, sodium bicarbonate is used in the beverage industry, as an additive in food and food packaging, and in animal feed. Since sodium bicarbonate neutralizes acid, many foods become more digestible when it is added. This is relevant, for example, in the preparation of jam from highly acidic fruits.

Likewise, the taste of a dish to which, for example, too much vinegar or lemon has been added can be neutralized by baking soda. Water, for example for making coffee or tea, can be softened with sodium hydrogen carbonate. Adding a pinch of sodium bicarbonate to the cooking water of legumes makes peas, lentils and beans softer more quickly. It takes the flatulence out of various types of cabbage, and makes cheese fondue easier to digest and fluffy.

Woman wringing a cleaning rag under a bucket.

Sodium hydrogen carbonate in the household

Sodium hydrogen carbonate is also relevant in the household industry. For example, it is a component of mild detergents, as a cleaning agent - for example to brighten tile grout or sports shoes - and to neutralize unpleasant odors that can arise, for example, from animal husbandry.

Other household odor sources that can be neutralized with sodium bicarbonate include drain pipes, the refrigerator or certain items of clothing.

Sodium hydrogen carbonate in the cosmetics industry

The personal care and cosmetics industry also benefits enormously from sodium hydrogen carbonate. As it is abrasive, i.e. has an abrasive effect, it whitens teeth and is contained in some toothpastes. In professional tooth cleaning, it is used as part of prophylaxis.

Due to its antiseptic properties, it is added to mouthwashes. It can also be used as an alternative to deodorant in cases of excessive perspiration.

Sodium hydrogen carbonate in medicine

In medicine or pharma industry, sodium hydrogen carbonate plays a role in regulating the acid-base balance: the sodium salt of carbonic acid is one of the hydrogen carbonates, and these are needed in the human body to neutralize acids - a vital process.

Thus, the substance is used as an antacid against acid indigestion and heartburn. It is also used in infusions for metabolic acidosis, in various forms of dialysis, as an antidote for some poisonings, and in certain medications such as psychotropic drugs.