Usage areas of Tetrasodium pyrophosphate

Tetrasodium pyrophosphate, also known as sodium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium phosphate, or TSPP, is a colorless transparent crystalline chemical compound with the formula Na4P2O7. It is a salt composed of pyrophosphate and sodium ions. Toxicity, when ingested, is about twice that of table salt.

Tetrasodium pyrophosphate is produced by the reaction of sodium carbonate with phosphorus grade phosphoric acid to form disodium phosphate and then heated to 450 °C to form tetrasodium pyrophosphate.

Alternatively, it can be formed by molecular dehydration of dibasic sodium phosphate at 500 °C (932 °F).

Usage areas

• Tetrasodium pyrophosphate is used as a buffering agent, an emulsifier, a dispersing agent and a thickening agent, and is often used as a food additive.
• Common foods containing tetrasodium pyrophosphate are used where it is used as chicken nuggets, marshmallows, pudding, crab meat, imitation crab, canned tuna, and soy-based meat alternatives, and as cat food and cat breeding.
• In toothpaste and dental floss, tetrasodium pyrophosphate acts as a tartar control agent, removing calcium and magnesium from saliva, thereby preventing it from depositing on the teeth. Na4O7P2 is used in commercial tooth cleanings before brushing to aid in plaque reduction.
• Na4O7P2 is sometimes used in household detergents to prevent clothing-like deposition, but due to its phosphate content, it causes eutrophication of water and algae growth.
• TSPP is used as an acidity maintainer, a pH buffer, and as a dough conditioner in soy-based meat alternatives.
• It supports the binding of proteins to water and supports the binding of soybean particles together.
• It is used in chicken nuggets and lobster products for the same purpose.
• It is an emulsifier and a source of phosphorus as a nutrient.
• It is used as a buffer in toothpaste, as an emulsifier, and as a detergent aid. It removes Ca and Mg ions from saliva, so they do not stay on the tooth.
• It is a thickener in ready puddings.
• It is used as a water softener in detergents, as an emulsifier to suspend oils, and to prevent redeposition on laundry during washing. It combines with Mg as a water softener. As a detergent additive, it renews the activity of detergents and soaps, combining with calcium to form an insoluble foam.
• TSPP; removes calcium, it is replaced by sodium, which reagents detergent and soap.
• It is used as an inorganic stabilizer in textiles.