Acetic acid (CH 3 COOH), also known as acetic acid, is the most important carboxylic acid. The dilute (approximately 5% by volume) acetic acid solution produced by the fermentation and oxidation of natural carbohydrates is called vinegar; the salt, ester, or aldehyde of acetic acid is called acetate. Industrially, acetic acid is used to prepare metal acetates, used in some printing processes; vinyl acetate, used in plastic production; cellulose acetate, used in the manufacture of photographic film and textiles; and volatile organic esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate), widely used as a solvent for resins, paints and varnishes. Biologically speaking, acetic acid is an important metabolic intermediate that occurs naturally in body fluids and plant juices.
Acetic acid has been produced on an industrial scale by the air oxidation of acetaldehyde, the oxidation of ethanol (ethanol), and the oxidation of butane and butene. Today, acetic acid is produced through a process developed by Monsanto Chemical Company in the 1960s; it involves the rhodium-iodine catalyzed carbonylation of methanol.
Pure acetic acid, often called glacial acetic acid, is a corrosive, colorless liquid (boiling point 117.9 °C [244.2 °F]; melting point 16.6 °C [61.9 °F]) that is completely miscible with water.
misunderstanding
A common misconception is that all acetic acid is vinegar. Vinegar contains acetic acid, but you'll also find it diluted in things like pickles and ear drops. Vinegar is a pungent aqueous solution containing 4% to 7% acid, usually prepared through fruit fermentation or grain distillation. Dilute acetic acid lacks vinegar's characteristic pungency, enzymes, and vitamins, but it also preserves food, has health benefits, and a sour taste.
The history of acetic acid
Acetic acid is also known as acetic acid, ethanol, acetic acid, and methanecarboxylic acid. Acetic acid is a byproduct of fermentation and gives vinegar its characteristic smell. Vinegar contains about 4-6% acetic acid in water. A more concentrated solution, pure acetic acid containing only trace amounts of water, is found for laboratory use and is called glacial acetic acid. A dilute solution such as vinegar can come into contact with the skin without causing harm, but a more concentrated solution can burn the skin. Glacial acetic acid can cause skin burns and permanent eye damage, and can corrode metal.
Acetic acid (AA) is known to have been used in ancient times. It was known in Greek before the 3rd century BC. In the 8th century AD, Jabir Ibn Hayyan (also known as Gaber) concentrated acetic acid from vinegar through distillation. In 1847, German chemist Hermann Kolbe first used inorganic force to synthesize AA. AA occurs in nature as a normal metabolite of most organisms. Acetic acid may also be released into the environment through various waste fluids, emissions from combustion processes, and exhaust gases from gasoline and diesel engines. AA is produced by the decomposition of solid biological waste and is easily metabolized by organisms. Bacteria (genus Acetobacter) are used to produce large amounts of vinegar by fermenting ethanol. The food industry code for acetic acid is E260 (food additive) and is used as an acidity regulator/flavoring. In cellular biochemistry, the acetyl group derived from acetate is essential for carbohydrate and lipid metabolism when combined with coenzyme A. Most acetic acid is produced through the fermentation of methanol, and some is produced through ethanol recovery and oxidation. Glacial acetic acid is the name for anhydrous (water-free) acetic acid, used in commercial settings.
Acetobacter, also known as acetic acid bacteria, can produce AA in the form of vinegar in an aerobic environment. Common substrates can be cider, wine and fermented grains, malt, rice, potato puree or other forms of starch.
Pharmacokinetics
Acetic acid is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and lungs. Acetate is readily metabolized by most tissues and may produce ketone bodies as intermediates. In vitro experiments have shown that acetate incorporates phospholipids, neutral lipids, sterols, and saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in a variety of human and animal tissue preparations. In catabolic or anabolic synthesis, acetate ion (the anion of acetic acid) is a normally occurring metabolite, for example, in glycogen formation, cholesterol synthesis, fatty acid degradation, and acetylation of amines. It is estimated that the acetate ion content in human plasma is about 50-60 μmol l-1 (3.0-3.6 mg l-1), and the acetate ion content in cerebrospinal fluid is about 116 μmol l-1 (7 mg l -1. The daily turnover of acetate ions in the human body is estimated to be approximately 45gday-1.
What are the uses of acetic acid?
Acetic acid is used in the manufacture of acetic anhydride, cellulose acetate, vinyl acetate monomer, acetate esters, chloroacetic acid, plastics, dyes, pesticides, photographic chemicals and rubber. Other commercial uses include the manufacture of vitamins, antibiotics, hormones and organic chemicals, and as a food additive (acidifier). It is also used in various textile printing processes.
What are the natural sources of acetic acid?
Acetate (acetate) is a common component of plant and animal tissues and is formed during the metabolism of food substances. Acetate is readily metabolized by most tissues and may produce ketones as intermediates. Acetate is used by the body as a building block for the construction of phospholipids, neutral lipids, steroids, sterols, and saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in a variety of human and animal tissue preparations.
What are the health effects of exposure to acetic acid?
The low concentrations most people encounter in vinegar and other foods are harmless. Higher concentrations of acetic acid that may be encountered in laboratories or factories can be highly irritating to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Prolonged skin contact with concentrated acetic acid may cause tissue destruction. Inhalation exposure to high concentrations of acetic acid vapor can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. People with high occupational exposure may develop conjunctivitis, bronchitis, and pharyngitis, as well as erosion of exposed teeth (incisors and canines).
health benefits
1. Kill bacteria
Vinegar has long been used as a natural disinfectant, primarily because of its acetic acid content. Acetic acid has powerful antibacterial properties and can effectively kill several specific strains of bacteria.
In fact, a 2014 in vitro study found that acetic acid prevented the growth of mycobacteria, the genus of bacteria that causes tuberculosis and leprosy. Other research shows that vinegar may also prevent bacterial growth, which may be due in part to the presence of acetic acid.
2. Lower blood pressure
Not only does high blood pressure put extra stress on the heart muscle and cause it to weaken over time, but high blood pressure is also a major risk factor for heart disease. In addition to changing your diet and exercise habits, promising research has found that acetic acid may help control blood pressure.
Results of a Japanese study suggest acetic acid may help control blood pressure and fat accumulation. Researchers in Europe studied the effects of sodium acetate and acetic acid on blood sugar and other biological responses to a mixed diet in healthy subjects. In the United States, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine are studying the use of disodium EDTA to remove calcium from the plaque that clogs arteries and leads to heart disease.
An animal model found that acetic acid lowered blood pressure in mice. It is believed to work by reducing levels of renin, a special enzyme secreted by the kidneys that is involved in blood pressure control.
3. Reduce inflammation
Acute inflammation plays an important role in immune function and helps protect the body from disease and infection. However, persistently high levels of inflammation over long periods of time can have adverse health effects, and research suggests inflammation may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Acetic acid is thought to reduce inflammation and help prevent disease. According to a study published in Scientific Reports , several markers of inflammation were significantly reduced 10 weeks after mice were injected with acetic acid. Another recent study in 2019 found that acetic acid helped reduce inflammation in mice by changing the activity of specific proteins involved in immunity.
Existing medications containing acetic acid are FDA-approved to treat external ear canal infections, bacterial vaginosis, head lice, and earwax impaction. Acetic acid is recommended for treating a variety of conditions, from acetic acid drops for ear infections to diluted vinegar for treating thrush, plantar warts, nail fungus, and impetigo.
4. Support weight loss
Some studies show that acetic acid can help with weight management by aiding weight loss. For example, a 2017 report from Malaysia stated that acetic acid reduced food intake and body weight in mice. Another study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition also showed that acetic acid helps slow gastric emptying, which can help you stay fuller longer, thereby promoting weight loss.
5. Promote blood sugar control
Apple cider vinegar is well-researched for its ability to support blood sugar control. Research shows that acetic acid, one of the main ingredients in apple cider vinegar, may play a role in its powerful blood sugar-lowering properties.
One study found that consuming vinegar and acetic acid with a high-carbohydrate diet lowered blood sugar and insulin levels because of its ability to slow gastric emptying. Another in vitro study had similar findings, reporting that acetic acid reduced the activity of several enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, which may reduce carbohydrate and sugar absorption in the small intestine.
use
What are the uses of acetic acid? Acetic acid is most commonly found in vinegar, which is used in a variety of recipes from salad dressings to dressings, soups, and sauces. Vinegar is also used as a food preservative and pickling agent. Plus, it can even be used to make natural cleaning products, toners, insecticides, and more.
Some medicines contain acetic acid, including medicines used to treat ear infections. Some people also use it to treat other ailments, including warts, lice, and fungal infections, although more research is needed to evaluate its safety and effectiveness.
Manufacturers also use acetic acid to make a variety of different products. In particular, acetic acid is used to make compounds such as vinyl acetate monomer as well as perfumes, oral hygiene products, skin care products, inks and dyes.
Risks, Side Effects and Interactions
So what are the side effects of acetic acid? Is acetic acid harmful to humans?
The pH of acetic acid, a measure of how basic or acidic a substance is, drops to around 2.4. Although it is classified as a weak acid, it is still highly corrosive and can burn or irritate skin if used directly.
Because acetic acid is potentially harmful, it is generally recommended to dilute vinegar with water before consuming or applying it topically. For example, before using apple cider vinegar, it is recommended to dilute it with a cup of water for every 1-2 tablespoons. Consuming large amounts undiluted may cause side effects such as throat burning, enamel corrosion, and skin irritation.
When using any type of vinegar medicinally, check with your doctor first if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications to prevent adverse interactions. Be sure to start with a low dose and gradually increase the dose to assess your tolerance. If you notice any negative side effects, including low blood sugar or digestive problems, consider reducing your dose or discontinuing use.
