Ammonium bicarbonate
General Product Information
| Article | Ammonium bicarbonate |
| Synonyms | E503(i), Ammonium hydrogen carbonate, Bicarbonate of ammonia, Ammonium bicarbonate, Hartshorn, AmBic, Powdered Baking ammonia |
| CAS No. | 1066-33-7 |
| EEG No. | – |
| EINECS No. | 213-911-5 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 28369917 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Ammonium bicarbonate, also known as food additive E503(i), is a white crystalline powder with a characteristic odor of ammonia. It is an inorganic compound used in various industrial applications ranging from food production to technical and chemical processes.
Characteristics
- Odor: Ammonia
- Color: White
- Grade: Food.
- Solubility: -.
- Taste: –
- Shape: Crystalline powder
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | NH4HCO3 |
| Molar Weight | 79.06 g/mol |
| Melting Point | Approx. 41.9 °C. |
| Boiling Point | – |
| Density | 1.586 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | Approx. 7.0-8.5 (in solution) |
Interessing Links
- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) – Guidelines and standards for food additives and ingredients.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- European Food Information Council (EFIC)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Information on the safety and uses of food additives and ingredients.
- PubChem – Ammonium Bicarbonate – Chemical information by the National Library of Medicine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH-NCBI).
- Wikipedia – Ammoniumwaterstofcarbonaat
Applications
Ammonium bicarbonate is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Food Industry
As a raising agent in cookies, crackers and other dry baking products, including as food additive E503(i).
2. Pharmaceutical Industry
In certain formulations of effervescent or controlled-release tablets.
3. Textile & Leather Industry
As an adjuvant at tanning and degreasing.
4. Agriculture
As a fertilizer with nitrogen content and pH regulating effect.
5. Cleaning Agents
Thanks to its mild alkaline action, suitable for degreasing or cleaning applications.
6. Industrial Processes
As a blowing agent for plastics (e.g. foaming in rubber and plastic production).