What is acetic acid?

acetic acid is a weak acid that is probably the most famous because it is primary acid in vinegar. In fact, acetic acid has a wide range of uses above the border of salads and is produced in large volumes around the world. People with this acid have been working for centuries in a number of contexts, with acetic acid one of the substances of the alchemist, predecessors of modern chemists.

This organic acid can be prepared at different concentrations. In pure form it is known as icy acid acetic acid because it crystallizes at cold temperatures. This form of acid is extremely corrosive and may be dangerous to work with, requires special protection measures. On the other hand, vinegar usually has a acetic acid concentration of about five percent.

There are a number of ways that this acid can be prepared. One method is bacterial fermentation, a technique used to produce vinegar in which acetic acid is generated as a by -product of bacterial digesTion. Other techniques include the production of chemical reactions that lead to this acid, as is the case in the commercial production of this product. However, if acid is intended for use in foods, it is usually produced biologically because it is often required for food labeling.

This pure colorless acid has a distinctive acid taste, although the tasting is not recommended unless it is clearly marked as suitable for human consumption. It also has a strong, sharp odor that is known to many people because it smells like vinegar. Or rather vinegar smells like acetic acid. In food preparation, it can be used as an aroma, and in some foods a sharp taste is desirable and also as a preservative for food. Acid inhibits bacterial growth and maintains safe food from contamination. Historical use of vinegar as preservatives has created a taste in some cultures for distinctionTang vinegar, so foods that no longer require protection can have some added vinegar for taste.

Acetic acid is used to a wide range of processes. It is also used in chemical production and research in environments where people need weak acids. Like other acids, acetic acid is corrosive for many substances and can be involved in various chemical reactions. Acetic acid is used as a solvent, agent, catalyst and pesticide. It can be used in the preparation of colors, varnishes and glazes and medical treatment, such as the treatment of jellyfish.