Potassium metabisulfite (pyrosulfite), a source of sulfur dioxide Potassium metabisulfite (E224) Application Used for sulfitation of must and wine, acts as an antioxidant and antiseptic agent against foreign microorganisms. Increases the solubility of phenols. Promotes oxygen binding, prevents the action of oxidative enzymes. Used for the production of: wine, vinegar, brandy, starch, fruit drinks, beer, dried fruits, liqueurs, dried products (except bread), syrups. The dosage of the drug depends on various factors. When dissolving 1 gram of potassium metabisulfite, Esseco provides 0.56 g of SO2 during dissociation. When settling must from healthy grapes - 120 mg / liter When settling must affected by gray rot - 200 mg / liter When infusing and fermenting must on the pulp - 80 mg / liter When heating the pulp - 100 mg / liter When fermenting using the white method - 50 mg / liter When decanting high-acid wines - 20 mg / liter When decanting wines with normal acidity - 40 mg / liter When decanting wines prone to browning - 60 mg / liter When laying down sterilized wines for aging - 30 mg / liter When laying down liqueur wines for a long period - 80 mg / liter When laying down wines with low alcohol — +30% SO2 At a sulfur disulfide concentration of up to 60 mg/liter, the human sense of smell does not distinguish it against the background aroma of wine. In total, ready-made wines should contain no more than 200 mg/liter of sulfur dioxide, in sweet wines no more than 300 mg. Moreover, this figure is different in different countries, in some there is no limit at all. The toxic dose is 300 mg/kg of the weight of a warm-blooded animal. That is, in order to suffer, a person must drink as many liters of semi-sweet wine per day as he weighs in kilograms. The toxic effect of this substance is associated with the death of intestinal bacteria in the body that produce B vitamins. Instructions Never dissolve these substances directly in a container with wine, since the desired substance is poorly soluble in acidic environments, and while we stir, the desired gas will evaporate. The required amount is dissolved in a glass of clean water and sent with constant stirring to the sulfitized material. Potassium metabisulfite (food additive E224) is an inorganic compound, a white powder with a sulfur smell, the crystals of which have a monoglycidic structure and decompose at a temperature of 190 ° C. Additive E224 is interchangeable with sodium metabisulfite (additive E223), as these two substances are very similar in their chemical properties. The chemical formula of potassium metabisulfite is K2S2O5. Upon direct contact, potassium metabisulfite irritates the respiratory tract, narrowing it, which is why additive E224 can cause asthma attacks in asthmatics and, at high concentrations, allergic reactions in sensitive people. In the body, additive E224, as well as additive E223, decomposes into simpler substances and is excreted from the body through the urinary system. Despite the interchangeability of additives E223 and E224, the use of potassium pyrosulfite is more preferable, since it does not affect the sodium balance in the body. In the food industry, food additive E224 is used as a preservative and antioxidant in the processing of wines, to preserve the proper color and taste. But a significant disadvantage of this use of additive E224 is an increase in the amount of potassium in wine, which increases its extractability. That is, free tartaric acid turns into tartar, which also negatively affects the taste of the drink. Potassium pyrosulfite, as a food additive E224, is widely used in the brewing industry as a stabilizer, stopping the fermentation process. In addition, the preservative E224 is used in the processing of dried fruits, as well as in some types of confectionery. Other uses of potassium pyrosulfite (additive E224): in photography, as an acidic photographic fixer; in filter elements for drinking water purification; in the textile industry, in fabric dyeing. The additive E224 is a permitted additive in Russia and Ukraine. However, in a number of countries the use of sulfites (including the additive E224) in the food industry is prohibited.