Sodium phosphate is a generic term for the salts of sodium and phosphoric acid. They are:

• Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate commonly termed Monosodium phosphate, (NaH₂PO₄), is also known as Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic.
• Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate commonly termed Disodium phosphate, (Na₂HPO₄) is also known as Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic.
• Sodium Phosphate commonly termed Trisodium phosphate, (Na₃PO₄), is also known as Sodium Phosphate, Tribasic.

[edit] Use

Sodium phosphates are used as food additives. Sodium phosphates are added to many foods as an emulsifier to prevent oil separation. Some examples are processed cheeses, processed meats, ready-made meals and tinned (canned) soups. Sodium phosphates are also commonly added to powdered soups, boullions and gravy mixtures.

Sodium phosphates can also be used as a leavening agent. Some examples of these foods include the batter coating on breaded fish or chicken, and commercially baked cakes.

Adding sodium phosphates to food increases the shelf life of the food; maintaining the texture and appearance of the food.

Sodium Phosphate (trisodium phosphate) is also an ingredient of cleaning products; e.g. Sugar soap.

Buffered hypertonic phosphate solutions are still in common use as disposable enemas. A strong (1.5M) solution of monobasic and dibasic sodium phosphate with a pH of approximately 6.0-7.0 acts as an osmotic agent causing mobilization of water into the colon, resulting in prompt evacuation.

[edit] Risk

Oral sodium phosphates for bowel preparation for colonoscopy may in some individuals carry a risk of kidney injury under the form of phosphate nephropathy. Oral phosphate prep drugs have been withdrawn in the United States, although evidence of causality is equivocal.^[1] Since safe and effective replacements for phosphate puratives are available, several authors have recommended general disuse of oral phosphates.^[2]

[edit] References

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2008)

1. ^ Markowitz, GS; Perazella, MA (Aug 12), "Acute Phosphate Nephropathy", Kidney Int., PMID 19675530 
2. ^ Mackey, AC; Green, L; Amand, KS; Avigan, M (2009), "Sodium phosphate tablets and acute Phosphate Nephropathy", Am J Gastroenterol 104 (8): 1903-6, Aug, PMID 19661931 

Lien, Nat Clin Pract Nephrol 2008, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18797448, http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/17294_pnt