Feature
Ethanol Use in Hand Sanitizers
Ethanol is an important ingredient in the manufacture of hand sanitizers, thanks to the ability of ethanol to act as a disinfectant. Ethanol concentration is perhaps the most critical parameter for ethanol-based hand sanitizers, with 60-95% ethanol being the most effective disinfectant. Higher concentrations of ethanol are actually less effective, since water is required for protein denaturation and to slow down evaporation. Ethanol-based hand sanitizers are more effective than alcohol-free sanitizers, and even offer many advantages over hand washing with regular detergents.
The use of Polyethylene Glycol 400 in the food industry
Polyethylene glycol 400, or PEG 400, is a useful compound for food industry applications. It inherently possesses emulsifying and plasticizing properties, and can interact with biopolymers to create antimicrobial, antioxidant, and self-healing materials. PEG may be used within the food system as a carrier, emulsifier, as well as for food packaging, delivery systems, and food coatings.
Read MoreHow Food Grade Ethanol improves the safety and shelf-life of food
Ethanol emitters are a type of active packaging designed to release ethanol during storage, in order to extend the shelf-life and quality of foods. Ethanol is an excellent choice for a preservative because it has a long history of use, proven efficacy, and safety. Food grade ethanol is essential for these applications to ensure consumer-safety.
Read MoreQualitative protein analysis using nitric acid
Nitric acid can be used in the Xanthoproteic test to detect the presence of amino acids containing a benzene ring. When nitric acid reacts with aromatic amino acids like tryptophan and tyrosine, a colored compound known as a xanthoprotein is formed.
Read MoreTherapeutic uses of castor oil
Castor oil is a popular remedy from ancient times that still finds therapeutic relevance today. It has a multitude of valuable healing properties including anti-microbial, antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory. Castor oil is used topically and orally to treat gynecological disorders, gastrointestinal organs, and to promote general healing. The efficacy of castor oil is largely attributed to its primary component, ricinoleic acid, which resembles prostaglandins, and is thus able to influence a variety of biochemical pathways.
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