What is nitrite?
Best insight from top research papers
Nitrite (NO2-) is an inorganic compound that is commonly found in aqueous aerosols and is used as a curing ingredient in meat industries . It can be produced through the photolysis of nitrate and has potential for use in the oxidation of organic matter . Nitrite has various applications in meat curing, including suppressing oxidation and limiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms . However, the use of synthetic nitrite in meat products has raised health concerns due to the production of carcinogenic nitrosamines . Nitrite can also occur naturally in aquatic environments as part of the nitrogen cycle . It is important to understand the toxicity of nitrite, both acute and sublethal, on freshwater organisms for risk assessment purposes . Nitrite exposure can be harmful to human health, especially for children, and can lead to the blue baby syndrome . The intake of dietary nitrates and nitrites has been linked to an increased risk of developing cancer .
Answers from top 4 papers
More filters
| Papers (4) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Nitrite (NO2-) is a food additive and a major toxicity hazard for children. It is found in vegetables, meat, cured meat products, and drinking water. | |
| Nitrite is an inorganic nitrogen compound that occurs naturally in aquatic environments as an intermediary between nitrate and ammonia in the nitrogen cycle. | |
| Nitrite (NO2-) is a common salt found in aqueous aerosols, and it undergoes photodegradation to form nitric oxide (NO) and hydroxyl radical (OH) in the presence of methanediol (CH2(OH)2). | |
| Nitrite is a curing ingredient used in meat industries to give cured meats their unique characteristics such as pink color and savory flavor. It is used to suppress oxidation and limit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms in meat products. |
Related Questions
3.What is the function of nitrite?4 answersNitrite serves various functions based on different contexts. In the context of biofilm control and bioprocess optimization, exposure to nitrite impacts bacterial communities, influencing biomass, Live/Dead ratios, and bacterial cluster aggregation, ultimately affecting biofilm amounts and community structures. In the context of cardiovascular health, nitrite can be reduced to nitric oxide (NO) under pathological conditions, potentially improving myocardial function and lowering blood pressure, thus showing therapeutic potential in treating cardiovascular diseases like hypertension. Additionally, nitrite plays a crucial role in the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway, acting as a reservoir of NO in vivo and contributing to various beneficial biological activities such as promoting exercise performance, protecting the digestive system, and lowering blood pressure. Nitrite also plays a significant role in maintaining mitochondrial function under hypoxia by improving mitochondrial integrity, energization, ATP synthesis, and reducing reactive oxygen species production.
What are nitrates?5 answersNitrates are chemical compounds that naturally occur in the environment and are involved in the nitrogen cycle. They are salts of nitric acid and can be found in the air, soil, water, and food. Nitrates are used in various applications such as fertilizers, rodenticides, and food preservatives. They are also utilized as corrosion inhibiting additives for protecting metallic materials from corrosive attacks. In addition, nitrates play a significant role in the diet and metabolism of plants. On Mars, nitrates have been detected in the soil and are considered important for assessing potential habitable environments. Nitrates are also involved in the nitrogen cycle on Earth, where they undergo oxidation and reduction processes to produce different nitrogen species.
What are nitrates?5 answersNitrates are naturally occurring nutrients that are part of the nitrogen cycle. They can be found in water bodies and are important for the safety of consumption, prevention of water nutrient pollution, and understanding nitrogen cycling and other phenomena of interest. Nitrates and nitrites are inorganic chemical compounds derived from nitrogen. They can be found naturally in vegetable foods and added as chemical additives in some processed meat products. The intake of dietary nitrates and nitrites has been historically linked to a high risk of developing cancer due to their ability to transform into highly carcinogenic N-nitrosamines. Nitrites are used as food additives and can be found in vegetables, meat, cured meat products, and drinking water. They are a major toxicity hazard for children and can lead to the blue baby syndrome. Nitrites can also combine with amines to produce toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. Nitrate is a relatively inert molecule generated in humans through the oxidation of endogenously synthesized nitric oxide. We are also exposed to inorganic nitrate through dietary ingestion. Nitrate is also a class of liquid explosives that has been used in mining and military applications. Various substitutes for nitroglycerin have been developed and produced by different countries.
What is nitric acid?3 answersNitric acid is a chemical compound that plays a role in many important chemical processes in the environment. It is known to be a strong dissociating acid in aqueous solution. Nitric acid is produced through various methods, including the oxidation of ammonia vapor with an oxidizing gas, resulting in the formation of a reaction mixture containing water and nitrogen monoxide steam. The levels of nitrogen oxides in the tail gas from nitric acid production can be reduced by adding ozone to the absorber column of the production process. Nitric acid is considered an important chemical raw material, and traditional production methods are energy-intensive. Photocatalysis is being explored as an alternative method for oxidizing nitrogen and producing nitric acid.
What is the role of nitrite in the pathogenesis of inflammation?4 answersNitrite plays a role in the pathogenesis of inflammation by offering protection against the inactivation of antiproteolytic potential and conformational changes induced by halogenated oxidant-HOCl. It acts as an antioxidant at physiological concentrations by removing HOCl at sites where both nitrite and HOCl are formed. Nitric oxide (NO), which is derived from inducible NO synthase (iNOS), is involved in the overproduction of NO in inflammation. NO produced by iNOS can exert autocrine cytotoxic effects and inhibit key cellular enzymes, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Selective inhibition of iNOS has been shown to suppress inflammation in various inflammatory states. NO is also important as a toxic defense molecule against infectious organisms and regulates the functional activity, growth, and death of immune and inflammatory cells. The role of NO in nonspecific and specific immunity in vivo and in immunologically mediated diseases and inflammation is still poorly understood.
What is nitrification on crop science?3 answersNitrification in crop science refers to the process of converting ammonium to nitrate through biological or chemical means. This process is important for the availability of nitrogen to crops and can be regulated using nitrification inhibitors (NIs). NIs are compounds that inhibit the enzymes responsible for nitrification, such as ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) and hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO). Certain plant species also have the ability to exude organic compounds that inhibit nitrifying bacteria, known as biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). The use of NIs and BNI can help increase crop nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and reduce nitrogen losses through leaching and emissions of greenhouse gases. However, the effectiveness of NIs and BNI can vary depending on environmental and management factors, such as soil type, pH, and fertilizer rates. Overall, nitrification plays a crucial role in crop nutrition and the use of inhibitors can help optimize nitrogen management in agricultural systems.