Molecules Around Me

Nathan Keith
Food and Nutritional Supplements: Takis Fuego
Description: Spicy lemon-lime snack food

Ingredients: corn masa flour (processed with

lime), soybean and/or palm and/or canola oil,
iodized salt, sugar, natural and artificial flavor,
citric acid, soy protein, yeast, monosodium
glutamate, maltodextrin, sodium diacetate,
partially hydrogenated soybean oil, artificial
colors (red 40 lake, yellow 6 lake), onion powder,
hot chili pepper (chile), sodium bicarbonate,
sodium guanylate, sodium inosinate, silicon
dioxide (anticaking), antioxidant (bht, tbhq,
propylene glycol bha)

http://www.fooducate.com/app#!page=product&id=
6F24DB18-A5B3-11E1-882E-1231381BE564
Citric Acid
Molecular Formula: C6H8O7 Summary: Citric acid is found in citrus fruits and
is used as a preservative, laxative, heartburn and
acid indigestion reliever, and to add a sour taste.

Health Hazards: Consuming too much citric acid

may cause stomach pain (may also cause diarrhea
or vomiting) or nausea. You can also begin
sweating excessively or lose your appetite.

Reference:http://www.livestrong.com/article/77
463-side-effects-much-citric-acid/ and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Molecular Formula: C5H8NO4Na Description: MSG enhances the flavor of savory
(also known as umami) foods, so long as it is used
in the right concentration.

Health Hazards: MSG may cause headaches and

other discomfort if eaten excessively, though this
has not been proven.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoso
dium_glutamate

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodiu
m_glutamate
Sodium Diacetate
Molecular Formula: C4H7NaO4 Description: Sodium diacetate adds a salt and
vinegar flavor to food and also acts as an
antimicrobial agent.

Health Hazards: Sodium diacetate has no major

health hazards.

Reference:http://www.cmc-cvc.com/sites/default
/files/files/FactsheetSodiumdiacetate.pdf and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_diacetate

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_dia
cetate
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)
Molecular Formula: NaHCO3
Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_
bicarbonate
Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bic
arbonate
Description: Commonly known as baking soda, it
is used as a leavening agent in baking. Baking
soda can also be used to exterminate cockroaches,
absorb musty and foul smells, act as mild
disinfecting agent, relieve heartburn and acid
indigestion, as a cleaning agent, as a toothpaste,
and to extinguish fires (electrical or grease),
among other uses.
Health Hazards: Baking soda overdose may cause
gastrointestinal irritation.
Sodium Guanylate
Molecular Formula: C10H12N5Na2O8P
Description: Sodium guanylate enhances the
flavor of savory (also known as umami) foods,
especially when it is used in conjunction with
MSG.

Health Hazards: Sodium guanylate has no major

health hazards.
Reference:http://www.livestrong.com/article/55
1058-disodium-guanylate-vs-monosodium-gluta
mate/

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disodium_g
uanylate
Healthcare and Medicinal: Assorted Fruit Tums
Description: Flavored antacids for heartburn and
acid indigestion

Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate USP 500 mg

(active ingredient), adipic acid, corn starch,
FD&C blue #1 lake, FD&C red #40 lake, FD&C
yellow #5 (tartrazine) lake, FD&C yellow #6
lake, flavors, mineral oil, sodium polyphosphate,
sucrose, talc

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/tums
-antacid/calcium-supplement-assorted-fr
uit/ID=prod5776-product
Calcium Carbonate (active ingredient)
Molecular Formula: CaCO3
Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium
_carbonate
Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_car
bonate
Description: A component of limestone, calcium
carbonate can be used as a building material, iron
purifier, drilling fluid, sugar refiner, chalk,
ceramic glaze, calcium supplement, and antacid,
among other things.
Health Hazards: Calcium overdose can cause
milk-alkali syndrome, potentially leading to
kidney failure and death. Other symptoms may
include altered mental state, vomiting, and
stomach pains.
Adipic Acid
Molecular Formula: C6H10O4 Description: Adipic acid is primarily used in the
production of nylon (and PVC), but it can also be
used to make antacids more tart.

Health Hazards: Adipic acid is slightly toxic and

may cause slight skin irritation.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adipic_
acid

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adipic_acid
Sodium Polyphosphate (STPP)
Molecular Formula: Na5P3O10 Description: STPP acts as a preservative,
emulsifier, moisture retainer, and detergent.

Health Hazards: STPP is a very mild skin

irritant, but is otherwise safe.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_
triphosphate

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_trip
hosphate
Sucrose (Table Sugar)
Molecular Formula: C12H22O11 Description: Table sugar is a carbohydrate that
we use as part of our diet and as a sweetener in
our food.

Health Hazards: Excessive sugar intake may lead

to tooth decay, obesity, gout, increase in blood
sugar levels, and diabetes.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose
FD&C Blue #1 Lake (Blue 1)
Molecular Formula: C37H34N2Na2O9S3 Description: Blue 1 is a blue synthetic dye used in
various foods, hygiene supplies, and cosmetics.

Health Hazards: Blue 1 may cause an allergic

reaction to those with asthma but is other safe.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brilliant
_Blue_FCF

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brilliant_Bl
ue_FCF
Personal Hygiene and Cleaning: Old Spice Deodorant
Description: Antiperspirant and deodorant

Ingredients: Alcohol Denat, Propylene Glycol,

Water, Sodium Stearate, Fragrance, Triclosan,
Yellow 10, Green 5

http://oldspice.com/en/content/original-c
lassic-antiperspirant-and-deodorant
Propylene Glycol
Molecular Formula: C3H8O2 Description: Propylene glycol is primarily used to
produce polyester resins, but it can also be used
as an antifreeze or a preservative, or to treat
hyperketonemia.

Health Hazards: Propylene glycol is minutely

toxic and only very slightly irritating to some
individuals, though a minority of people are
allergic to it, causing dry skin or small red dots.
Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propyle
ne_glycol

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propylene_
glycol
Water
Molecular Formula: H2O Description: Water is transparent, liquid at room
temperature, and a standard in science and our
lives. It is used for our hydration, agriculture,
cleaning, transportation, industry, and food
processing, among countless other uses.

Health Hazards: Excessive water intake can

cause confusion and disorientation, nausea and
Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water
vomiting, and headaches. When untreated, this
and
can lead to low blood sodium levels, which may
http://www.healthline.com/health/overhydration
cause seizures, coma, unconsciousness, and
Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Properties_ muscle weakness.
of_water
Sodium Stearate
Molecular Formula: C18H35NaO2 Description: Sodium stearate is a white solid salt
of stearic acid, used mostly in soaps and
deodorants but can also be found in ink, rubber,
latex paints, and food additives.

Health Hazards: Sodium Stearate does not have

any known health hazards.
Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_
stearate and
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/7061
90/SODIUM_STEARATE/

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_ste
arate
Triclosan
Molecular Formula: C12H7Cl3O2 Description: Triclosan is a white solid
antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is used in
various everyday products, such as toothpastes,
soaps, detergents, toys, scrubs, and other surgical
equipment.

Health Hazards: Triclosan may increase your risk

of food allergy, most likely because it reduces
your exposure to bacteria.
Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosa
n

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosan
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
Molecular Formula: C16H9N4Na3O9S2 Description: Tartrazine is a yellow synthetic dye
used mostly in food but also in cosmetics,
medication, and other daily products.

Health Hazards: Tartrazine appears to cause an

allergic reaction (usually hives), especially among
those with asthma or a sensitivity to aspirin.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartrazi
ne

Image:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartrazine