Names | |
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Preferred IUPAC name
Dimagnesium dioxido-bis[(oxido-oxosilyl)oxy]silane | |
Identifiers | |
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3D model (
JSmol)
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ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
DrugBank | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.035.509 |
EC Number |
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PubChem
CID
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UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (
EPA)
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Properties | |
Mg2O8Si3 | |
Molar mass | 260.857 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | White crystals |
Odor | Odourless |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their
standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Magnesium trisilicate is an inorganic compound that is used as a food additive. The additive is frequently used by fast food chains to absorb fatty acids and extract impurities formed while frying edible oils. [1] It has good acid neutralizing properties, but the reaction appears too slow to serve as an effective non-prescription antacid. [2]
On March 12, 2007, Chinese health authorities halted the use of magnesium trisilicate at Shaanxi Province KFC franchises, suspecting it to be a possible carcinogen. [3] As a response, China's Ministry of Health conducted tests at six outlets of KFC. [4] The results showed chemicals in the cooking process at KFC restaurants in the country were not harmful. [5] The Ministry of Health said tests showed that using the product to filter cooking oil had no apparent impact on health. Food scares regularly sweep the Chinese media. [6]