What compounds we use every day you may not know

Do you know what chemical secrets are hidden in these daily necessities?

In our daily lives, compounds are everywhere. From cleaning products to skin care products, from food to clothing, the figure of the compound permeates almost every corner. Many people may not know what these compounds are, how they work, and what important effects they have on our lives. Today, we will uncover the mystery of these "compounds hidden in daily life" and show you some compounds that we may not know about our daily use.

1. Laundry detergent in the enzyme-to make clothes cleaner "invisible hero"

In our laundry detergent, there is a compound called "enzyme", which may be the "laundry hero" you least know ". Enzymes are biocatalysts that accelerate specific chemical reactions. In laundry detergents, the most common enzymes include proteases and lipases. Proteases are responsible for breaking down protein stains on clothing (such as blood stains, milk stains), while lipases are specialized in dealing with grease and grease stains. These enzymes work by breaking down large molecules of protein and fat into small molecules that can be more easily rinsed out by water.

The application of enzyme not only improves the cleaning effect of laundry detergent, but also reduces the pollution to the environment. Traditional cleaners may contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment, while the use of enzymes is more environmentally friendly because it can be biodegradable. So the next time you use laundry detergent, imagine these "little enzymes" working silently on your clothes.

2. Sunscreen in the titanium dioxide-blocking ultraviolet "invisible barrier"

Sunscreen is a daily skin care must-have for many people, but did you know that there is a compound called "titanium dioxide" in sunscreen to protect your skin? Titanium dioxide is an inorganic compound commonly used in sunscreen as a physical sunscreen. Its principle of action is to block and scatter ultraviolet rays through its tiny particles, thereby preventing ultraviolet rays from damaging the skin.

The sun protection effect of titanium dioxide is very efficient, but it also has a disadvantage: its particles are larger and it is easy to leave white marks on the skin. To overcome this problem, modern technology has refined the titanium dioxide particles to nano-scale, making them more evenly dispersed in sunscreens, thereby reducing the production of white marks. However, nanoscale titanium dioxide may also have a certain impact on the environment, which is one of the problems that scientists are studying.

3. Food preservatives-to extend the shelf life of food "invisible guardian"

In our food, there is a compound called "potassium sorbate" may be silently guarding your health. Potassium sorbate is a commonly used food preservative, its chemical name is potassium salt of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid. Potassium sorbate can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold, thereby extending the shelf life of food.

Potassium sorbate is widely used, from bread to cheese, from cooked meat to pastries, you can see it. It has the advantage of being non-toxic to humans and well compatible with other ingredients in food. Potassium sorbate also has a certain antioxidant effect, which can further extend the preservation time of food. Therefore, when you are enjoying delicious food, you may as well thank these "invisible guardians" for their protection.

Summary: Chemistry makes life better

From the above introduction, we can see that compounds play an important role in our daily life. From enzymes in laundry detergents to titanium dioxide in sunscreens to preservatives in food, these compounds not only make our lives easier, but also provide us with health and safety. The existence of these compounds also reminds us that chemistry is a double-edged sword, and we need to pay attention to the environmental and health problems it may bring when using chemical achievements.

Compounds are an integral part of modern life. Understanding these "compounds hidden in everyday life" will not only increase our scientific knowledge, but also help us make better use of them and make life better.