All About Acids

All around us are acids contained in a multitude of food and drinks. Pick up any soft drink at a local gas station and you will commonly see an acid as one of the top ingredients listed. The reason for this being because many acids are cheap to manufacture and do a good job of preserving not only soft drinks but food as well. In this article, we will be covering ten acids as found in many common foods. The goal being to inform you with a basic understanding of some common acids used in foods.

To begin an acid can be defined as a substance with particularly unique properties. One of these properties mandates the substance having a pH of less than 7 on a logarithmic pH scale such as is in our example image. In addition, a litmus test turning red will indicate that you are working with a type of acid. A third property of acids is their ability to dissolve metal and minerals, including those that compose teeth. Below you will find a list of two handfuls worth of acids that we will be looking into, they are: 

• Citric Acid 
• Malic Acid 
• Phosphoric Acid 
• Tartaric Acid 
• Acetic Acid 
• Oxalic Acid 
• Tannic Acid 
• Benzoic Acid 
• Lactic Acid 
• Butyric Acid 
  

Keep in mind, there are many more acids in addition to these, more than can be listed here for space sake. To begin, let's start with the first one, Citric Acid.

Citric Acid is most commonly found in citrus fruit such as lemons, oranges, and limes. About fifty percent of citric acid produced today is used in soft drinks. Twenty percent is used in foods, fifteen percent is used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics and the remaining fifteen is used in the technological sector. Citric acid has a tangy taste to it and is most commonly added to drinks to provide a tart flavor.

Malic Acid is well known for being found in apples in large amounts. You may not know it but malic acid is actually contained in most fruits. Some of which are strawberries, cherries, and peaches. Many people take Malic acid as a supplement, in its pure form it is used for pain reduction and for its energy-boosting properties. As a pain reliever, it is commonly taken for several days in a row allowing it to build in the body for its full effect to be apparent. In foods that contain artificial sweeteners, malic acid is used to disguise unnatural flavors.

Phosphoric Acid is most commonly used in soft drinks such as colas. It is made by combining sulfuric acid with phosphate rock. It is an odorless, colorless substance that is also used in detergents and even fertilizers. Did you know that phosphoric acid is commonly combined with baking soda to make baking powder, a leaving agent in many baked goods? In addition to this, phosphoric acid can be found in processed meats. Here it is used to extend the shelf life of meat products.

Tartaric Acid is another common ingredient used in the food industry. It is a crystalline, white acid that is naturally occurring in white grapes. Tartaric Acid is created by means of a chemical process involving Potassium Bitartrate. This precursor substance to Tartaric Acid makes up what is known on grocery shelves as Cream of Tartar. Tartaric Acid is in an antioxidant and has a distinct bitter taste to it that is likened to white grapes.

An interesting thing to note about Tartaric Acid is that it makes up what is known as "Wine Diamonds". A wine diamond is a small Potassium Bitartrate crystal that can be found in Wine. Often these Tartaric crystals are found around the cork and at the bottom on the bottle. This acid also plays a vital role in the winemaking process where it lowers to Ph level to smoothen the wine.

Acetic Acid is a common component of vinegar. In vinegar, it makes up around three to nine percent of the total liquid mass. Having a distinctive smell and pungent taste this substance can be considered a weaker acid. If acetic acid is concentrated then the game changes and it can actually be harmful to skin and corrosive. This acid can be found in everything from food condiments to photographic film, and even synthetic fabrics.

Our sixth acid is called Oxalic Acid. This acid is considered a quite strong carboxylic acid. A carboxylic acid is an organic compound with an added carboxyl set. Carboxylic acids make up everything from amino acids to the previously mention vinegar, or acetic acid. Some common uses for oxalic acid include application in bleaches, baking powder, and even by beekeepers to protect their bees from a parasite known as the varroa mite.

Tannic Acid is what is known as a polyphenol. This acid is generally considered a weaker acid. One of its primary applications in wood staining chemicals. Tannic acid is also used in beer, soft drinks, and wine. In wine, it has application as a taste improver, clarifying agent and color stabilizer. One interesting fact about Tannic acid is that it is responsible for gastrointestinal upset in the shamanic drink known as Ayahuasca. Tannic Acid can also be used in conjunction with other substances to treat strychnine poisoning.

Just as important as Tannic Acid, our next acid is known as Benzoic Acid. Benzoic Acid occurs naturally in a variety of plants such as walnuts and coffee. Commercially, Benzoic Acid is produced by means of partial oxidization of toluene with oxygen. This process makes Benzoic Acid a low-cost substance to manufacture. This acid can be found in pickles, soda, and can be used as a mold inhibitor. Benzoic acid also has application in medicine, where it is used as a decongestant and antiseptic.

Our ninth acid is responsible for making muscles feel sore the day after a workout. Lactic Acid is produced is in mass quantities by means of fermentation. During this fermenting process, bacteria convert carbohydrates and sugars into the former, lactic acid. A few foods containing lactic acid include yogurts, cottage cheeses, and kefir - a yogurt-like drink. Lactic acid also has many applications as a flavoring agent in a variety of drinks.

Equally important as lactic acid, Butyric Acid is commonly found naturally in buffalo, sheep, and even goats milk. It has application in chocolate, where it can be used in conjunction or even as an alternative to chocolate itself. One particularly unpleasant property of butyric acid is that it composes the putrid smell of vomit. Due to its smell, butyric acid is commonly used in fish baits and has even been used in stink bombs. As with other acids, butyric acid has applications in soft drinks. Most notably, it is responsible for not only the fermentation but also the distinctive taste of Kombucha - a naturally carbonated probiotic tea.

In all, acids make up a large part of out everyday life. Some of these acids have a more harmful effect on not only teeth but also the body. For this reason, it is important to recognize and be aware of the kinds of acids you consume. This all starts with knowledge, about what you consume and how it affects your oral health.

"Papa's Lab Bottles"by spinster is licensed under CC BY 2.0