Chemistry of sulphiting agents in food
- 1 September 1992
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Food Additives & Contaminants
- Vol. 9 (5), 449-459
- https://doi.org/10.1080/02652039209374097
Abstract
The main reason for the reactivity of sulphites in food is the nucleophilicity of the sulphite ion. The factors which determine the activity of this nucleophile are summarized and critically evaluated for concentrated systems, e.g. dehydrated foods. The distinction between free and bound sulphite is explained, and reversible binding of the additive in beverages and dehydrated foods is discussed with reference to simple theory of chemical equilibrium. The inhibition of non‐enzymic browning reactions accounts for a large proportion of sulphite which undergoes irreversible reaction in concentrated foods. The mechanisms of reactions between sulphite species and intermediates in the model Maillard reaction, glucose + glycine, are considered in depth together with supporting kinetic data. An interesting feature is the fact that sulphites seem to catalyse the reactions they are added to control. Implications of this to the level of use of sulphite are discussed. Reaction products from the inhibition of Maillard browning include 3,4‐dideoxy‐4‐sulphohexosulose which is formed initially and polymeric substances which arise from the reaction of sulphites with melanoidins. A proportion of sulphite added to food becomes converted to sulphate. Mechanisms of autoxidation are critically appraised in view of the presence of considerable concentrations of antioxidants in foods. The autoxidation of sulphite involves reactive free radical intermediates which include effective oxidizing agents. Thus, a pro‐oxidant effect by the additive is possible and demonstrable in model system experiments.Keywords
This publication has 47 references indexed in Scilit:
- Infrared and ultraviolet spectra of sulphur(IV) oxospecies in water-non-electrolyte mixturesFood Chemistry, 1992
- Toxicology of sulphiting agents I: Animal studiesFood Additives & Contaminants, 1992
- Kinetics of the sulphite‐inhibited browning of fructoseFood Additives & Contaminants, 1992
- Kinetics of the inhibition of ascorbic acid browning by sulphiteFood Additives & Contaminants, 1992
- Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between 3‐deoxyhexosulose and thiolsFood Additives & Contaminants, 1992
- Formation of sulphate ion during the dehydration of sulphited vegetablesFood Additives & Contaminants, 1991
- The yield of 3-deoxy-4-sulphopentosulose in the sulphite inhibited non-enzymic browning of ascorbic acidJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 1977
- Metabolism and elimination of α-hydroxyethane sulphonate by ratsFood and Cosmetics Toxicology, 1976
- Sulphite‐binding power of wines and ciders. III. Determination of carbonyl compounds in a wine and calculation of its sulphite‐binding powerJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 1973
- Sulphite‐binding power of wines and ciders. II. Theoretical consideration and calculation of sulphite‐binding equilibraJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 1973