Baking soda : Know your Kitchen Ingradients

Widely used Ingredient Baking soda is the Sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate with the formula NaHCO3. This substance is obtained naturally from mineral sources like natron and it also can be produced by artificial method. The natural mineral form of baking soda is called nahcolite.

Other names:

• Bicarbonate of soda
• Bicarb soda
• Sodium bicarb
• Bicarb
• Cooking soda
• Bread soda

Properties:

Generally, it is a white solid with crystalline grains but sometimes it appears as fine powder. It is weakly alkaline in nature or has a neutral pH level and the cleaning potential of it is endless. It has a slightly salty taste. It acts to neutralize acids produced by the stomach and break down proteins. It is excreted into the duodenum of the small intestine via bile duct.

Preparation:

1. Naturally baking soda is obtained from mineral sources like natron and nahcolite. Commercially, it is mined using an in-situ leach technique which involves dissolution of nahcolite by heated water. Then it is pumped out from the nahcolite beds and reconstituted by a natural cooling crystallization process.
2. Artificially baking soda is also prepared by various artificial methods.
   1. By Solvay process: In this process baking soda is prepared by the reaction of calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, ammonia, and carbon dioxide in water
   2. By the reaction between carbon dioxide and an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide
   3. From soda ash: soda ash is dissolved in water and treated with carbon dioxide. Finally baking soda precipitates as a solid from soda ash.

Uses:

In cooking:

1. Baking soda is used as a leavening agent in baking. When it comes in contact with liquid and an acid, it releases carbon dioxide that helps dough baked good to rise.
2. A small amount of it is added to reduce the acidity of tomato sauce while cooking or in coffee while brewing.
3. It will hasten the softening and cooking processes when a small amount added to the soaking water of beans.

As a cleaning agent:

1. From your jewelry to your fish tank, baking soda acts as powerful cleaning agent. Baking soda works well in the form of paste when used in cleaning and scrubbing. To make a paste for scrubbing, use ¼ cup of baking soda with less water. It is used mainly for water based stains. With warm water it can be used to scrub the microwave, oven, shower, and toilet in the bathroom and kitchen.
2. It is also effective in removing heavy tea and coffee stains from cups when diluted with warm water.
3. When it is added in washing machine, it enhances the effectiveness of detergent and also stabilizes the pH level.
4. It is used as mild abrasive agent for whitening the teeth in place of tooth paste.
5. It has a great deodorizing action. So, it is used in refrigerator and freezer to maintain freshness. It can also be used to deodorize your trash tin, carpet, shoes and garment. Also it can be used as part of your personal hygiene regimen instead of store bought deodorant.
6. When it is scattered around entrances and foundations of home, it may inhibit ants and other insects from crawling in.
7. It may be added to swimming pool water to keep the water clear and also balance the pH level.

Medical uses:

1. Baking soda has been used to treat acidity due to its alkaline nature. One-half teaspoon baking soda mixed with 120ml of water can be taken as an antacid. It has been favored for its first aid applications.
2. To relieve from the pain of bee stings or insect, the paste of it made with water is directly applied to the skin.
3. In case of acidosis, an aqueous solution of it is administered intravenously. Also it can be administered when insufficient sodium and bicarbonate ions are present in blood.
4. It can also be used to white your teeth having long lasting effects. It has numerous advantages aside from its teeth whitening properties. It can also destroy harmful bacteria that cause gum and mouth problems, by balancing the acids they secrete in the mouth which lead to teeth damage. It acts as a mechanical cleanser on teeth and gums.
5. When it is dissolved in a warm bath, it will appease the discomfort of sunburn and the itch of poison ivy.

Miscellaneous:

1. Baking soda can be administered to pool, health spa, and garden pond to raise pH levels.
2. It is also used by booksellers to absorb odors or leaving the books less odorous is a tried-and-true method of them.
3. It is used in a process for cleaning paints.
4. Also it has disinfectant and antiseptic properties
5. It is the dry chemical that used in large scale fire suppression systems installed in commercial kitchens because of its alkali nature.

Side effects:

• Hypertension,
• Hypernatremia,
• Metabolic alkalosis,
• Kidney failure,
• Congestive heart failure and
• Hyperosmolar syndrome.