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 industry Flue gas cleaning Chelation therapy Industrial cleaning Detergents Photography Pulp and paper industry Textile industry Agrochemicals Hydroponics

Food Industry Added as preservative Approved to use in packaged foods, vitamins, 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 drinks Contain 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