Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Disulfate, 500gm Merck Germany

Sodium metabisulfite or sodium pyrosulfite is an inorganic compound of the chemical formula Na2S2O5. The substance is sometimes referred to as disodium metabisulfite. It is used as a disinfectant, antioxidant, and preservative agent.

Uses of Sodium Metabisulfite:

• Sodium and potassium metabisulfite have many major and niche uses. It is widely used for preserving food and beverages.
• In combination with sodium hydrosulfite, it is used as a rust-stain remover.
• It is used in photography.
• Concentrated sodium metabisulfite can be used to remove tree stumps. Some brands contain 98% sodium metabisulfite and cause degradation of lignin in the stumps, facilitating removal.
• It is also used as an excipient in some tablets, such as paracetamol.

• A very important health-related aspect of this substance is that it can be added to a blood smear in a test for sickle cell anemia (and other similar forms of hemoglobin mutation). The substance causes defunct cells to sickle (through a complex polymerization), hence confirming the disease.
• It is used as a bleaching agent in the production of coconut cream.
• It (or liquid SO2) is commonly used as an antimicrobial and antioxidant in winemaking; bottled wine indicates its use with the label “Contains Sulfites” in the US.
• It is used as a reducing agent to break sulfide bonds in shrunken items of clothing made of natural fibers, thus allowing the garment to go back to its original shape after washing.
• It is used as an SO2 source (mixed with air or oxygen) for the destruction of cyanide in commercial gold cyanidation processes.
• It is used as an SO2 source (mixed with air or oxygen) for the precipitation of elemental gold in chloroauric (aqua regia) solutions.
• It is used in the water treatment industry to quench residual chlorine.
• It is used in tint etching of iron-based metal samples for microstructural analysis.
• It is used as a fungicide for anti-microbial and mold prevention during the shipping of consumer goods such as shoes and clothing. Plastic stickers and packaging (such as Micro-Pak™) containing the anhydrous sodium metabisulfite solid active ingredient are added before shipping. The devices absorb moisture from the atmosphere during shipping and release low levels of sulfur dioxide.
• It is used for preserving fruit during shipping.
• It is used as a solvent in the extraction of starch from tubers, fruit, and cereal crops.
• It is used as a pickling agent to treat high-pressure reverse osmosis water desalination membranes for extended storage periods between uses. Click to know more.