Sulfite
From Free net encyclopedia
Sulfites (also sulphite) are compounds that contain the sulfite ion SO32−. They are often used as preservatives in wines (to prevent spoilage and oxidation), dried fruits, and dried potato products.
About five percent of asthmatics have difficulty breathing within minutes of eating a food containing sulfites. People with allergies to aspirin are also at an elevated risk for reaction to sulfites. The reaction can be fatal and requires immediate treatment at an emergency room, and can include sneezing, swelling of the throat, and hives. (See also: anaphylaxis.) Those who are allergic to sulfites are urged to avoid products that could contain them.
Sulfites occur naturally in almost all wines. In the US, those bottled after mid-1987 must have a label stating that they contain sulfites if they contain more than 10 parts per million. In the EU an equivalent regulation came into force in November 2005 [1]. Organic wines are not necessarily sulfite-free. Most beers no longer contain sulfites. Although shrimp is sometimes treated with sulfites on fishing vessels, the chemical may not appear on the label. In 1985, the United States federal government banned the addition of sulfites to most fresh fruits and vegetables, though fresh-cut potatoes and dried fruits are exceptions. See category for a list of sulfites.
SO32− is a polyatomic ion, in which more than one atom are bonded together to form a charged species, which most often is treated as, in effect, a charged molecule. SO32− is also an oxoanion, which refers to a polyatomic ion which contains one or more oxygen atoms.
Oxoanion Sulfides
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