What Is Silicon Dioxide? Silicon Dioxide in Food

Food safety is a major concern for people nowadays. They are concerned about what’s in their food and whether it’s safe or harmful. The truth is, many everyday products depend on microscopic helpers, such as silicon dioxide (SiO₂) or E551.

Additionally, these helpers play a role in stable, safe, free-flowing, without compromising the taste or colors. In the US, the FDA permits amorphous silicon dioxide to be used as an anti-caking agent, which helps maintain the fine powder condition of foods without adding moisture.  The FDA authorities allow their use in pre-ordered products and even in beer for improved stabilization.

Research shows SiO2 isn’t exotic, and it’s naturally present in plant foods and diets; average adult consumption is ~20–50 mg per day. In this blog, we explain SiO2, its qualities, and whether they are harmful or not.

What is Silicon Dioxide?

Silicon dioxide plays an imperative role in nature and the nutritional industries. This material naturally occurring compound that is produced with the combination of silicon and oxygen. Exists in abundance in quartz, sand, and rocks, and is also present in everyday foods like green vegetables.

It has the appearance of a hard, colorless, odorless, and solid substance, which makes it chemically stable and rigid. Additionally, silicon dioxide does not dissolve in water under normal conditions; instead, it becomes soluble at very high temperatures and high pressure.
This marvelous chemical is generally grouped into different categories: 

Crystalline Silica

Crystalline silica is the purest form of that naturally occurring mineral found throughout the Earth’s crust. It is available in different forms such as stone, soil, and sand. Furthermore, professionals use this silica to produce products such as pottery, ceramics, bricks, and artificial stones. The most common forms of crystalline silica are:

• Quartz: A stable and common crystalline form of SiO2, at standard pressure and temperature.
• Tridymite: It is a high-temperature polymorph of SiO2 that forms above ~870 °C. This form is less accessible in nature; however, it’s essential in ceramics for the stability phase in volcanic rocks.
• Cristobalite: The last form of crystalline silica is cristobalite, which is also a high-temperature form of SiO2, forming above ~1,470 °C. Furthermore, it is used in refractory materials and is also imperative in ceramics due to its best thermal conductivity.

Amorphous Silica

A non-crystalline form of SiO2 with no defined crystal structure that is found in both synthetic and natural forms. Furthermore, it comes in various types, which are listed below, each with unique qualities suited for different uses. For instance, it can be used as a thickening agent in toothpaste, as an additive in foods, and as a component in greases and coatings.

• Silica Gel: It’s a synthetic form of amorphous silica product in coarse granules. Additionally, it is renowned for its strong affinity for moisture, which is why industries often prefer to use it as an anti-caking agent.
• Colloidal Silica: A stable liquid derivative of small silica products in particles ranging from 1 to 100 nm. This silica has the ability to act as a binder and reinforcing agent; therefore, experts use it in concrete and coating applications. It is also known as “nano silica”.
• Fumed Silica: This form of silica is produced by considering silica vapor at high temperatures. Fumed silica is a white nanopowder that is fluffy and lightweight.
• Precipitated Silica: A solid form of silica that is manufactured by acidifying a sodium solution, resulting in precipitate. It is reinforcing the filler in synthetic and natural rubber. Also, amorphous silica is the most effective thickener for the grease.

Silicon Wafer

Silicone Dioxide wafer is a material that experts and professionals use to produce semiconductors, which are essential for electronic devices. Despite this, Silicon Oxide Wafer is the most common element in the universe, which is why it is used as a semiconductor.  Apart from that, the SiO2 wafer is a highly refined, super-flat disk with a mirror-like surface. Let’s see the functions of a silicon wafer.

• The Si wafer provided the electrical insulation between different components on the wafer.
• It protects the silicone surface, reducing contamination and improving device reliability.
• It acts as a protective layer during doping and etching procedures to prevent these processes from affecting the underlying silicone.

Mesoporous Silica

Mesoporous silica is a material that is fabricated of an amorphous silica matrix that includes a highly uniform and ordered network of pores. It ranges in diameters from 2 to 50 nanometers, with a honeycomb porous structure.

The insane biocompatibility, high-surface area, and tunable pore structure enable their use for gene delivery, drug delivery, and imaging. Experts use them as the best carrier for therapeutic agents, increasing their solubility and stability to enable control.  Beyond the biomedical industry, this chemical is also ideal for environmental remediation, cytology, and gas storage purposes. 

However, choosing a reliable and trustworthy Mesoporous Silica Supplier is mandatory to maintain the supply chain and quality. ACS Material offers high-quality chemicals and materials at a competitive price.

Properties of Silicon Dioxide

The incredible properties of the silicic dioxide make it a perfect option for use in industries, especially in food.

• SiO2 is chemically reactive and has the strength of its silicon-oxygen backbone.
• It has low thermal conductivity, which makes it useful for insulation, and formulation can include fillers to increase conductivity when it’s required.
• With its low toxicity, it is safe and ideal for food-grade, medical, and direct human contact.
• It has low surface energy, featuring water repellent and hydrophobic properties.

Time to delve into the questions concerning the existence of SiO2 in food products.

Is Silicon Dioxide Safe?

Yes, leading authorities consider silicone dioxide a safe option. The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) also approves its use with a maximum of 2% of the total food weight. Apart from that, the FDA classifies silicon as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

Numerous studies and research have demonstrated that passes SiO2 through the digestive system without being absorbed into the bloodstream, indicating it is excreted from the body like fiber.

Is Silicon Dioxide Bad for You?

The food-grade silicon dioxide poses no harm to individuals’ health. People confuse it with crystalline dust, which is actually harmful when inhaled in industrial setups. Therefore, authorities and law enforcement consider the geological location of these factories to be far from local and residential areas. However, the form used in food is amorphous silica, which possesses fewer health risks.

Is Silicon Dioxide Harmful to Humans?

When discussing SiO2 in food content, many assumptions circulate in the industry regarding its side effects. Studies have shown that the regulated amount of silicone dioxide is not harmful to individuals who consume it.

The human body already contains trace amounts of silica, which plays a significant role in maintaining skin elasticity and bone strength. Despite this, the problems only begin when you have individual exposure to inhaling industrial silica dust that is not part of the food content.

What Is Silicon Dioxide in Food?

SiO2 is essential to add to the food due to its promising anti-caking properties. Therefore, food manufacturers must mention on the label if the product has any amount of SiC2. The label provides awareness that this food product has the specific FDA amount of this chemical as a stabilizer. Thus, the role of this chemical is more functional, from the nutritional to keep the product fresh and clump-free.

Is Silicon Dioxide Safe in Supplements?

People take supplements as prescribed by their clinical physician, but have you ever wondered how the product stays stable even when placed on shelves for months? Yes, you get the right point, SiO2 is safe in supplements.

Many mineral tablets and vitamin tablets contain a small quantity of silicon dioxide to ensure the inside powder is free from sticking. Also, this powder enables pharmacists to maintain the quality of each pill in the supplements.

What Is Silicon Dioxide in Supplements?

After knowing that SiO2 is safe in supplements, let’s understand its functions in supplements. Experts use this chemical as a flow agent that allows machines to press powder into tablets evenly and ensure the correct dose of nutrients in each capsule.  Without this chemical, supplements can break down easily, lose their effectiveness, and not even maintain the flow of nutrients in every pill.

What Is Silicon Dioxide Used for?

SiO2 exhibits its numerous benefits in various industries, and here we outline a few of them for further information.

• It helps in manufacturing microchips, sensors, and other devices that are reliable and stable in electronics and semiconductor fields.
• SiO2 has demonstrated its invaluable benefits in the fields of catalysts and energy storage. It helps in faster chemical reactions and is more efficient, which improves the performance of super catalysts.
• Helping in controlled drug release and medical imaging in the biomedical and healthcare industry. Also, shows the effective results in dental materials and health supplements with added strength.
• Works as an anti-caking agent in powdered foods and enhances the texture of cosmetics and adhesives.
• Increase the strength and durability of building and construction materials to prevent cracking.

Is Silicon Dioxide Safe to Eat?

Yes, FDA and WHO confirm that consuming it at approved levels doesn’t cause any health concerns. Hence, the small amount of SiO2 is safe to consume; that’s why food and supplement manufacturers use this chemical to make food.

What Is Silicon Dioxide in Vitamins?

In vitamins manufacturing, SiO2 helps the powders blend well and remain stable for longer use. However, this chemical does not have any nutritional value and overpowers the nutrients in each pill. Also, it ensures the equal distribution of nutrition in every supplement tablet.

Why Is Silicon Dioxide in Food?

Food manufacturers who want to keep their food dry and prevent spoilage, such as species and powder-based products, use this chemical. Let’s consider an individual buying a spice jar from the market, and it lasts for months in their kitchen. All this has become possible due to the silicone dioxide. This ingredient helps them to stay in fine powder form and prevents moisture and clumping.

Why Is Silicon Dioxide Used in Food?

Industries add this chemical to achieve the desired flow, freshness, and delicate texture, ensuring consistent results. Without this, everyday foods like drink mixes and soups would quickly lose their quality. And, maybe this is a scoop of soup mix powder that can cause health harm to you.

How Is Silicon Dioxide Used in Food?

SiO2 is allowed in small quantities, and it often adds less than 2% of the product weight. Apart from that, manufactured mixed directly into powdered foods or coatings, making it ideal for tasteless and invisible.

What Food Has Silicon Dioxide?

SiO2 is commonly used by industries in the food sector, available in both dried and powdered forms. Some of the major uses in the food industry are listed below.

• Instant soups
• Snack coatings
• Salt and seasoning blends
• Powdered creamers
• Protein powders

It maintains the food’s freshness and taste, and at the same time, it protects the substance from hardening and spoiling.

What Does Silicon Dioxide Do in Food?

The primary task of this incredible chemical is to keep the food lump-free and easy to use. So, it doesn’t add any nutritional value; instead, it shows its functionality.

Wrap Up Things

The above write-up provides extensive details on silicone dioxide and its role in food products. There are multiple categories of f SiO2, including crystalline silica, amorphous silica, silicone dioxide wafer, and mesoporous silica. All forms have their specialty and are ideally used for multiple purposes. A small amount of food-grade SiO2 is allowed by the FDA to be added to food powders to keep them dry and safe from moisture.

You may visit the ACS Material to buy the best form of SiO2 wafer that meets your needs. They have high-quality Si wafer and mesoporous silica. Follow us on X(Twitter) and Facebook to stay up-to-date for further information.

FAQ

Q. Is Silicon dioxide a neurotoxin?

A. Leading authorities consider the controlled amount of SiO2 to be safe, and no evidence proves that its supplemental amount causes neurotoxicity. However, ultrafine nanoparticles at high consumption may affect the gut and brain in laboratory settings, which is not related to any food form.

Q. Why do manufacturers add silica to food?

A. Manufacturers prefer this chemical for its incredible quality to act as an anti-caking agent.

Q. What food has the highest silica?

A. Among the huge product lines of the food industry, beer has the highest silica per serving as a result of the brewing process. Other rich sources of silica include whole grains, leafy greens, and green beans.

Q. What is the quantity of Silicone dioxide in the species?

A. The highest silica quantity of the species is up to 2% by weight as an anti-caking agent. Let’s consider a 500 g packet of species, then it contains the maximum quantity of 10g SiO2.

Q. What is the major purpose of adding silicone dioxide to food?

A. The primary purpose of this material is to act as an anti-caking agent and keep powdered foods free-flowing and stable. SiO2 ensures the stability in both processing and storage phases.