Recently, when a customer consulted about magnesium oxide, a food additive, he did not know much about the volume (also called bulk density) of magnesium oxide. Today, Hebei Messi Biology Co., Ltd. will explain in detail whether magnesium oxide, a food additive, is light or heavy.
First, let’s understand the difference between light magnesium oxide and heavy magnesium oxide. Generally, light and heavy are distinguished by the volume (bulk density) of magnesium oxide. The volume is greater than or equal to 3 (bulk density is less than 0.33) is light magnesium oxide, and the opposite is heavy magnesium oxide.
Next, let’s return to food additives to consider the volume of magnesium oxide. In the food additive magnesium oxide GB1886.216-2016 standard, there is no requirement for the volume of magnesium oxide, so customers need to analyze it according to their own products. Generally speaking, light magnesium oxide is mostly used for tablets, and heavy magnesium oxide is mostly used for capsules. The specific situation requires specific analysis.
Application areas of food-grade magnesium oxide: used in food additives, color stabilizers, pH regulators as health products, and magnesium supplements for food. It is used as a decolorizing agent, ice cream powder pH regulator, etc. during sugar refining. It is used as an anti-caking agent and antacid in wheat flour, milk powder chocolate, cocoa powder, grape powder, sugar powder and other fields.
Magnesium oxide (chemical formula: MgO) is an oxide of magnesium, an ionic compound. It is a white solid at room temperature. Magnesium oxide exists in nature in the form of periclase and is the raw material for magnesium smelting. It is a white amorphous powder. It is odorless, tasteless and non-toxic. Due to different preparation methods, it can be divided into light and heavy. It has strong refractive properties in the visible and near-ultraviolet range. It is easy to absorb moisture and carbon dioxide when exposed to air and gradually become basic magnesium carbonate. The light one is faster than the heavy one. It combines with water to form magnesium oxide, which is slightly alkaline. The pH of the saturated aqueous solution is 10.3. However, it is very soluble in dilute acid and very slightly soluble in pure water. Its solubility is increased by the presence of carbon dioxide. It is a mild catalyst. It is insoluble in ethanol. Relative density (d254) 3.58. Melting point 2852°C. Boiling point 3600°C.