Nitrate Escapes Custody

[wiscoaster]

This is kind of funny. But could have been bad. I set out a dish of potassium nitrate solution so the water could evaporate and the unused nitrate recrystallize. Little did I know that the nitrate could escape and crystallize instead on surrounding surfaces:

So, it's a good thing I didn't set it out anywhere near food storage or preparation.

 

[1950DAVE]

Food Preservative​

Use of potassium nitrate as food preservatives was commonly seen during the Middle Ages. Today, it is used in many processes like curing meat, production of brine, and making corned beef.

 

[wiscoaster]

It's poisonous, isn't it? Supposed to be gloved when working with it?*

* don't ask me how I know

 

[tenngun]

It's poisonous, isn't it? Supposed to be gloved when working with it?*

* don't ask me how I know

Hope not, it what keeps bologna red

 

[Daryl Crawford]

So, potassium nitrate impact on humans:
"The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion. The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Ingestion could cause effects on the blood. This may result in the formation of methaemoglobin."

https://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showca...itating to,in the formation of methaemoglobin

 

[Daryl Crawford]

Hope not, it what keeps bologna red

Are you thinking of sodium nitrate? I'm no chemist, honestly asking.

 

[tenngun]

Are you thinking of sodium nitrate? I'm no chemist, honestly asking.

Could be I’ve never used it, but I was thinking it’s salt peter that kept corned beef and red sausages red

 

[Daryl Crawford]

Could be I’ve never used it, but I was thinking it’s salt peter that kept corned beef and red sausages red

You may be right. Going to do some Google-fu and dig on it. Quick look saw nitrate/nitrite...now for more digging and reading.

 

[necchi]

Little did I know that the nitrate could escape and crystallize instead on surrounding surfaces:

Thanks for sharing, it's a good lesson.
Now you will be able to recognize the crystalline structure and harvest your own from barns and manure piles just like our ancestor did for centuries.
I would recommend those same centuries old purification methods.
Potassium Nitrate has been used with food processing and human consumption for centuries.
Beyond being a "salt", making powder, and used as a preservative, Potassium Nitrate did/does have a specific use with the male of mammal species.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

You, Sir, are correct.
From Britannica: "It is also used as a food preservative, and when added to meat it causes a reaction between the myoglobin and hemoglobin in the blood, making the meat appear red in colour."
Odd, I'm finding info clearly describing its use, and the coloration you mention @tenngun but also find stuff saying it isn't good for us. Seems "dosage" and how it is taken into the body is the concern.
I'm still not a chemist or biochemist.

 

[northernThaiguy]

I used to use Morton's Tender Quick when we lived out in the boonies, and it made excellent bacon and canadian bacon. I coulda sworn that it was Pot Nitrate, but when I took a look at the package downstairs, it says it contains Sodium Nitrate. It's really good stuff for curing your own meat.

 

[sgtsquid]

It drives your blood pressure up My blood pressure used to be at the high end of the normal range consistently, and I saw it drop by 15 torr when I made an effort to cut it out of my diet.

 

[1950DAVE]

Simple search.
https://www.toppr.com/guides/geography/minerals-and-energy-resources/saltpeter-or-potassium-nitrate/

 

[necchi]

OMG, my neighbor @wiscoaster mentions the results of evaporation in his own home,
And now the subject is sodium nitrate and topper as a search and information source is part of the topic?

 

[wiscoaster]

Are you thinking of sodium nitrate? I'm no chemist, honestly asking.

No, potassium nitrate. Used in making paper cartridges for cap 'n ball revolvers. Makes the paper "flash" burn.

(see below)

 

[wiscoaster]

Hope not, it what keeps bologna red

Ya, well, bologna is poisonous, too.

 

[wiscoaster]

Potassium Nitrated Paper Demo

 

[Brokennock]

Yup,,, been used for food preservation,,,, but that doesn't mean it is good for humans. We have centuries of history of consuming things that are bad for us, but, if we don't die or become horrifically ill right away, we call it safe.

We are dumb.

Darwin was wrong.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

This St. Paddy,s day save that corned beef juice!

 

[tenngun]

Yup,,, been used for food preservation,,,, but that doesn't mean it is good for humans. We have centuries of history of consuming things that are bad for us, but, if we don't die or become horrifically ill right away, we call it safe.

We are dumb.

Darwin was wrong.

Well it’s been shown saliva causes cancer. 100% of cancer victims are known to have swallowed small amounts of saliva over long periods of time