Other names for the additive (synonyms)
General Information
Additive E503 (ammonium carbonate) is an ammonium salt of carbonic acid. It is commonly known as smelling salts. It appears as colourless crystals that are highly soluble in water. The molecular formula of the substance is (NH4)2CO3.
It is a very unstable compound. In air, even at room temperature, a chemical oxidation reaction begins, releasing the toxic gas ammonia and converting the substance into ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3).
At temperatures above 60 °C, ammonium carbonate decomposes into water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and ammonia (NH3).
Due to the release of gases during the decomposition of additive E503, it is used in the food industry. Its main use is as a substitute for yeast in confectionery and baking.
Ammonium carbonate was first obtained from nitrogen-containing organic materials (horns, hair, nails) through distillation at high temperatures. Nowadays, it is produced industrially by heating a mixture of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), or through the reverse decomposition reaction: the interaction of ammonia and carbon dioxide with water under rapid cooling.
Effects on the Body
Benefits
Findings of the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) have shown that additive E503 is not hazardous to human health. However, there is no data on any beneficial properties of ammonium carbonate for the human body.
Harm
According to some sources found online, the additive is considered potentially harmful to human health. These claims may be linked to the high toxicity of ammonia released during the decomposition of ammonium carbonate. However, as noted above, during the chemical reaction (in the process of food preparation), carbon dioxide and ammonia evaporate, and only water remains in the final product. Therefore, the additive can be considered harmful to health only in its raw form or during the preparation process.
Uses
In the food industry, ammonium carbonate as additive E503 is used instead of baking soda or yeast in confectionery and baking. The main products that use ammonium carbonates include various types of cookies, bagels, cakes, and baked goods.
In Northern European and Scandinavian countries, ammonium carbonate has long been used to make traditional types of cookies. For example, Icelandic airy cookies are made exclusively with ammonium carbonate. Replacing it with baking soda (additive E500) or yeast will not yield the original result.
Ammonium carbonate is also used:
- in pharmaceutical products (cough syrups, smelling salts, etc.);
- as a fermentation accelerator in wine production;
- as a component of fire extinguishing compounds;
- in cosmetics as a colourant.
Legal Status
The use of ammonium salts (additive E503) is permitted in almost all countries.
