Nitrates: Food Preservatives

Nitrates: Food Preservatives

Sorry, this film is not free to view

Start trial

Please log in or subscribe to watch the full film
  1. Mindmap
  2. Chemistry
  3. Chemical Industries
  4. Food Basics
  5. Food Additives

Classroom visuals

  • Protein

    Protein

  • A balanced diet

    A balanced diet

  • Energy Bar

    Energy Bar

  • Protein

    Protein

  • Fatty Acid

    Fatty Acid

  • Fats

    Fats

  • Fermentation

    Fermentation

  • Ripening

    Ripening

  • Yeast Cells

    Yeast Cells

  • Bananas Are a Good Source of Fuel

    Bananas Are a Good Source of Fuel

  • Ethylene Displayed Formula

    Ethylene Displayed Formula

Learning materials

Film info

Film summary

Potassium nitrate is a natural substance found in your food or in an exploding firework. What makes it so versatile?

Key facts

  • Potassium nitrate preserves our food and is a component of gunpowder.
  • Nitrate salts are made using the Haber Process.
  • Potassium nitrate forms naturally on rocks in caves.
  • Potassium nitrate kills a bacterium, which secretes a deadly poison.

Transcript

There's one ingredient that was key in Guy Fawkes' plot to blow up parliament... which also keeps meat fresh in your fridge today.

Potassium Nitrate

It's called potassium nitrate.

A chemical compound consisting of potassium, nitrogen and oxygen. Potassium nitrate forms naturally on rocks in sheltered areas like caves.

And particularly in soils rich …

Please log in to view and download the complete transcript.

Related films

  • Salt: Food Preservative

    Salt: Food Preservative

  • Natural Versus Artificial

    Natural Versus Artificial

Embed this film

Copy and paste the embed code above to include this film on other websites.

Share this film

Copy and paste the code above to link to this page.