AL Chemistry Project No. 9

The Use of EDTA

in

Food Industry and Chelation Therapy

Group members:

Leung Hoi Yan 7S (18)

Ling Wing Yee 7S (21)

EDTA

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid Chelating agent Mostly synthesized from

1,2-diaminoethane, formaldehyde,

water and sodium cyanide

Uses of EDTA

Food industry Personal care Oil production Dairy and beverage indu

stry Flue gas cleaning Chelation therapy

Industrial cleaning Detergents Photography Pulp and paper industry Textile industry Agrochemicals Hydroponics

Food Industry

Added as preservativeApproved to use in packaged foods, vitami

ns, and baby food

To prevent catalytic oxidation by metal ions or stabilizer and for iron fortification

Deactivates enzymes by removing the metal ions from them and forming stable chelates with them

Food Industry

Soft drinksContain ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate

To alleviate formation of benzene (a carcinogen)

Chelating Agent

A substance whose molecules can form several bonds to a single metal ion

The most common and most widely used chelating agents are those that coordinate to metal ions through oxygen or nitrogen donor atoms, or through both

Metal-EDTA chelate

Chelation Therapy

Chelation involves the two nitrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms in separate carboxyl (-COO¯) groups

Administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body

For treating acute heavy metal poisoning

Chelation Therapy

Convert toxic metal agents to a chemically inert form that can be excreted without further interaction with the body

Administered intravenously, intramuscularly or orally

Combined with chromium to evaluate kidney function

Used as anticoagulant for blood samples