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Acetic Acid

What is Acetic Acid?

Acetic acid also known as ethanoic acid, is an organic chemical compound, giving vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. [1]



History

Vinegar was known, early in civilization, as the natural result of air exposure of beer and wine, as acetic acid-producing bacteria are present throughout the world. [1]

The use of acetic acid in alchemy extends into the third century BC, when the Greek philosopher Theophrastos described how vinegar acted on metals to produce pigments useful in art, including white lead (lead carbonate) and verdigris, a green mixture of copper salts including copper(II) acetate. Ancient Romans boiled soured wine in lead pots to produce a highly sweet syrup called sapa. Sapa was rich in lead acetate, a sweet substance also called sugar of lead or sugar of Saturn, which contributed to lead poisoning among the Roman aristocracy. [1]

Other Ingredient Information

Products containing Acetic Acid


The percentage represents the approximate total number of food products from UPC Food Search's data that contain the ingredient, "Acetic Acid".
The data is calculated from UPC Food Search's product data only, and is not meant to reflect all food products regionally or globally.

Source(s) Derived From

 Plant Sources

Natural or Artificial?

 Natural

References
  1. Acetic acid - Wikipedia
  2. Photo - Crystallized acetic acid - Wikipedia (Public Domain)

Aliases (Also Known As)


 Acetic Acid Esters
Acidic Acid

Color Key - (Click/Tap to View) Dash

  • Natural
  • Natural & Possibly Unsafe
  • Artificial
  • Artificial & Possibly Unsafe
  • Both (Can be derived from Natural & Artificial Sources)
  • Both (Can be derived from Natural & Artificial Sources) & Possibly Unsafe

Revision History

Action User Date/Time
Ingredient addedUPC Food SearchJanuary 1, 2009 @ 2:14 AM

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