Sodium sulfite, also spelled sodium sulphite, is a versatile inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na₂SO₃. It's a white, water-soluble solid with a slightly sulfurous taste and numerous applications across various industries.
- Food industry:
- Preservative: Prevents browning and spoilage in dried fruits, meat products, and wine.
- Antioxidant: Protects fats and oils from oxidation and rancidity.
- Dough conditioner: Improves dough elasticity and texture in baking.
- Water treatment:
- Dechlorination: Neutralizes chlorine in treated water to improve taste and odor.
- Oxygen scavenger: Removes dissolved oxygen from boiler water to prevent corrosion.
- Textile industry:
- Bleaching: Used for bleaching wool and nylon fabrics.
- Desulfurization: Removes sulfur compounds from dyed fabrics.
- Paper industry:
- Pulping: Helps soften lignin in wood during pulping.
- Bleaching: Used for bleaching wood pulp.
- Photography:
- Fixing agent: Removes unexposed silver halide from photographic film.
- Other uses:
- Rubber production: Activates catalysts used in rubber vulcanization.
- Gold extraction: Used in the cyanide-free extraction of gold from ore.
- Cosmetics: As a buffering agent in some shampoos and soaps.
