Phosphorus - all the known element, in translation from Latin - "the bearing light". It is one of biogenous elements vital for the person and performing just huge the number of functions.
Phosphorus - one of biogenous elements extended both among animals and in inanimate nature. Our phosphorus is associated first of all with the shining trinkets, but it is really surprising element.
Characteristic of phosphorus
Judging by the provision of an element in Mendeleyev's table, it is possible to tell the following - it is located in the third period, has three electronic levels, is a r-element. The V group says to us that on an external orbital at an element of 5 valent electrons, giving them, it is shown the maximum oxidation level +5. It happens at reactions to stronger oxidizers, for example, oxygen. Oxide shows acid properties and at connection with water gives phosphoric acid. Atom of hydrogen can be replaced with cations and we receive salts - phosphate.
Phosphorus can be also oxidizer, for example, in connection with hydrogen. In this case it is shown the valency of III and oxidation level-3, accepting three electrons on an external orbital.
Phosphorus in the nature
The first what it is worth mentioning that without this element the existence of such substances as adenosine triphosphate - that would be impossible for ATP a power source, and phospholipids. Phosphorus - a biogenous element. It means that the element comes from living organisms, surely is present at them.
As simple substance phosphorus has four modifications. White phosphorus is extremely poisonous and chemically active. This volatile with the poisonous smell similar to garlic. Store white phosphorus under a water layer in which it is not dissolved. When heating, white phosphorus turns into other modification - red.
Yellow phosphorus, in fact, is badly cleaned white. it is also poisonous, has an unpleasant smell. On air lights up a green flame. In water it is not soluble. At combustion, puffs - phosphorus oxide turn out.
Red phosphorus - the most widespread modification. He can be met on matchboxes. On air he does not light up, but at friction or detonation actively is oxidized (with explosion - remember as the match strikes).
Black phosphorus is similar to graphite on the physical characteristics, is the semiconductor. It is not dissolved in any solvents.
White and yellow modifications of phosphorus are most active. This element forms connections with metals, oxidizing them, and with nonmetals, acting as reducer.
Earth crust contains 0.09% of phosphorus. It is quite high rate. It is possible to meet it: in a green part of plants, fruits and seeds; fabrics and bones of animals; rocks, various minerals; in sea water.
Biological role of phosphorus
In our organism practically everywhere it is possible to meet compounds of phosphorus. Adenozitrifosforny acid - a power source was already mentioned above. DNA, RNA, phospholipids, fosfoproteida, various enzymes - everywhere are phosphorus atoms.
In various sources the phosphorus role in an organism is quite chilly described, but only ponder - phosphorus is an obligatory component of DNA - the main information carrier of our organism and ATP - fuel. Phosphorus is in bones and tooth enamel if suddenly there is its shortcoming - there are problems. And still remember how we were spoken by parents in the childhood - you eat fish, phosphorus there, you will be clever.
Reactions of anabolism and catabolism, maintenance of buffer action of biological liquids - take part in all this compounds of phosphorus.
Application of compounds of phosphorus
In pure form phosphorus is applied very seldom because of high activity and virulence. And here compounds of phosphorus are used in many spheres.
Phosphides - binary (consisting of two elements) connections with metals are used for receiving PH3 gas. It is result of reaction of phosphide with water or mineral acid (inorganic). Connections with nonmetals, for example, oxide, chloride, sulfide, halogenides found application in the industry as dehumidifiers. And on the first place among them - oxide of pentavalent phosphorus.
Production of matches was already mentioned above. High reactionary ability of phosphorus - ideal property for explosive connections, bombs and certain types of fuel. White phosphorus, by the way, is used in production of smoke shells. Compounds of phosphorus are both lubricants and protection of metals against corrosion. Some connections use for water purification if more precisely - for softening. The separate mention is deserved by phosphorus-containing fertilizers.
Phosphorus in products
Mainly phosphorus contains in animal products that, in principle, is clear. For the person excellent sources of inorganic phosphorus are: meat and fish; dairy and fermented milk products; eggs.
Inorganic compounds of phosphorus which have to arrive with animal food are important for the person - from vegetable they are acquired much worse.
The leader in phosphorus content - dry yeast of nearly 1300 mg 100 gr a product. About the same - in wheat bran pumpkin sunflower seeds. Dairy products and their derivatives are in the second place: cottage cheese (500 mg on 100 gr), kefir (140 mg), milk (90 mg). And dairy products are an ideal supplier of phosphorus, they contain also calcium.
On the third place - fish and seafood.
Resolving issues of phosphorus sources - choose meat and dairy products. The percent of digestion of phosphorus from them is maximum and reaches 70% while from vegetable - only 20%.
Choosing phosphorus sources, consider also existence in a calcium product. It is important that it was not less phosphorus. Thus, ideal sources of elements: fat cottage cheese, various nuts, bean, buckwheat, porridge, beef liver.
Compounds of phosphorus in the food industry
Separate subject for discussion - nutritional supplements. Phosphorus-containing connections are actively used in the food industry. Phosphates (salts of phosphoric acid) can be found in sausage - they connect excess moisture and do sausage uniform, dense and juicy, pleasant for the buyer. Phosphates are also actively used in meat and fish preservation, production of butter and margarine, processed cheeses. In fact, all these products anyway are present at our food basket.
Phosphates use as podkislitel in sweet sparkling water (by the way for this reason they say that they - sparkling water - are harmful), confectionery, low alcohol products. Phosphates add to usual condensed milk to prevent formation of crystals, and in powder additives, like powdered milk, cocoa or cream - that there were no lumps from caking. Processed cheeses have uniform structure thanks to compounds of phosphorus too.
Clarification of sugar, increase in density of vegetable and fruit canned food, safety of margarine and oil - all this work of phosphates. The excess of phosphorus leads to the fact that digestion of calcium and formation of vitamin D is broken. It means to an organism literally the following - calcium is seized from storages - bones and forms insoluble connections which settle in the form of stones in kidneys with phosphorus. It can also cause violations of work of a cardiovascular system, a GIT and a liver.
Maximum allowed ratios of phosphorus and calcium 1.5:1. In products of compound of phosphorus are marked from E338 to E342.