Sodium bisulfite is a fine crystallized sodium grain that releases sulfur gas when dissolved in liquid. Manufacturers use sodium bisulfite in foods, cleaning products and pharmaceutical research. Common uses for sodium bisulfite include food preservation and cleansing to sanitize equipment and kill mold, bacteria and germs. Additionally, metal workers use sodium bisulfite to finish metals.
A Wine Preservative
The oxidative effects of wine making can damage the finished wine product. Adding sodium bisulfite before bottling helps winemakers prevent the oxidative effects of the wine-making process by removing the excess oxygen from the wine. The sulfur gas removes and replaces any air and empty space within the bottle. According to "An A-Z Guide to Food Additives: Never Eat What You Can't Pronounce," winemakers should add ¹⁄16 of a teaspoon of sodium bisulfite to 1 gallon of wine before bottling.
Sanitizing
Sodium bisulfite also functions as an effective sanitizing agent. According to "Techniques and Experiments for Organic Chemistry," you should add 1 teaspoon of sodium bisulfite for every 1 gallon of water you want to sanitize. You can also increase the sanitizing properties of sodium bisulfite by combining the sodium grain with an acid blend containing citric or tartaric acid. Adding an acid blend will increase the rate at which the sulfur gas will permeate the item you want to sanitize.
Food Preservative
You can also use sodium bisulfite as a food preservative to prevent rotting or spoilage. Sodium bisulfite can preserve many of the qualities of fruits and vegetables, including the color, taste and nutritional value. As a food preservative, you would treat water with sodium bisulfite and then soak the fruit or vegetable in the water solution. Sodium bisulfite is a common ingredient used in the canning process; the sodium bisulfite protects the fruits and vegetables from oxidizing and changing color.
Other Uses
The rubber industry uses sodium bisulfite as a coagulative agent. Additionally, the dye industry uses sodium bisulfite as a dechlorination agent and cotton boiling agent for bleached cotton. Further, the leather industry uses sodium bisulfite to make finished leather products more wearable, waterproof and longer lasting. In addition to its use as a food preservative, the food industry also uses sodium bisulfite as a bleaching agent.
References
- "Why There's Antifreeze in Your Toothpaste: The Chemistry of Household Ingredients"; Simon Quellen Field; 2007
- "Techniques and Experiments for Organic Chemistry"; Addison Ault; 1998
- "Techniques and Experiments for Organic Chemistry"; Deanna M. Minich PhD CN; 2009
- "Chemical Process and Design Handbook"; James Speight; 2001
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