STPP stands for Sodium Tripolyphosphate, or sodium triphosphate. It is a chemical compound with the formula Na5P3O10. Its CAS number is 7758-29-4.
STPP is a white, crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water. It has a wide range of applications in different fields due to its various properties and functions.
With the capability of maintaining water, the primary uses of food grade STPP are to improve the eating quality in food processing, especially in meat and fish products. The European food additive number for it is E451(i). It is also applied in pet food (e.g., cat and dog food) for the purpose of binding water and keeping the animal feed fresh.
With the functions of chelating metal ions, suspending, dispersing, emulsifying, pH buffering, etc., technical grade STPP is widely used in the production of laundry detergents & dishwashing detergents, industrial water softener, industrial cleaner, a grease remover, leather pre-tanning agent, dyeing auxiliary agent and so on.
The fields of application of STPP include:
1. Detergents and Cleaning Products: STPP is commonly used as a builder or water softener in laundry detergents and dishwashing detergents. It helps to enhance the cleaning efficiency by preventing the deposition of mineral salts on fabrics and dishes, thus improving the performance of the cleaning agents.
2. Food Industry: STPP is used in the food industry as a preservative and sequestrant. It helps to maintain the quality and texture of processed meats, seafood, and poultry products. Additionally, it can be used as an emulsifier in processed cheese and as a leavening agent in baked goods.
3. Water Treatment: STPP is utilized in water treatment processes to prevent the formation of scale and corrosion in pipes and equipment. It acts as a dispersant, inhibiting the precipitation of calcium and magnesium ions, which can lead to the formation of hard water deposits.
4. Ceramic Industry: In the ceramic industry, STPP is used as a dispersant and deflocculant. It helps to improve the workability of ceramic slurries, reduce viscosity, and enhance the homogeneity of the mixture. This facilitates the shaping and molding processes in the production of ceramics.
5. Industrial Applications: STPP finds applications in various industrial processes. It is used as a flame retardant in textiles and plastics, as a viscosity modifier in drilling fluids for oil and gas exploration, and as a buffering agent in electroplating baths.
6. Agriculture: STPP is employed in agriculture as a fertilizer additive. It helps to improve the efficiency of fertilizers by preventing the precipitation of nutrients and enhancing their availability to plants. Additionally, it can act as a pH regulator in soil.
Is Sodium tripolyphosphate Safe to Eat?
Yes, food grade STPP is a multiple purpose ingredient that is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used in food in accordance with good manufacturing practice by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Also, the safety of STPP has been approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and it is an authorized food additive in the European Union (EU) and can be used as a carrier in the preparations of the colour anthocyanins, also applied in the salted fish of the Gadidae family, as well as by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) as a sequestrant, texturizer, and thickener.
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