In plants, ordinary saltpeter takes the form of potassium nitrate, and it occurs in the sap of plants for instance, tobacco, celandine, common borage, and sunflower. You can use it at home for curing fish, beef and pork products. Also known as saltpeter, potassium nitrate is a white crystallized compound composed of potassium, nitrogen and oxygen. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Best saltpeter substitutes. Some bacteria in meat are resistant to salt and have the ability to convert nitrates into nitrites. What Is the Difference Between Bay Leaves and Laurel Leaves? Retrieved 3/9/2012. He has severe arthritis, memory problems and debilitating fatigue. The story that this chemical was put into soldiers' food to decrease their sex drive is a total myth. Food preservative. Also, sodium nitrate can also be used for commercial meat processing as an additive. Where to Buy Saltpeter or Potassium Nitrate, Activity Series of Metals: Predicting Reactivity, Make Ammonium Nitrate from Household Chemicals, Where to Get Potassium Nitrate or Saltpeter, Instructions for the Manufacture of Saltpeter, Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers, Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College, Saltpeter is one name for the compound called potassium nitrate, which has the chemical formula KNO. Now on to the more serious aspects of saltpeter. Does saltpeter taste like salt? Tom's of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste, Sensodyne and prescription-only Colgate PreviDent 5000 all contain potassium nitrate. Bat guano was an important historical natural source. LeConte, Joseph (1862). In former times, the demand for saltpetre as an ingredient of gunpowder led to the formation of saltpetre plantations, or nitriaries, which were common in France, Germany, and other countries; the natural conditions were simulated by exposing heaps of decaying organic matter mixed with alkalis (lime, etc.) Potassium nitrate, also known as saltpeter, is an odorless powder composed of transparent and/or white crystals. Please do not use SMS English, Short Text and Words like hi, hello. Please select which sections you would like to print: Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. There was a belief long ago that eating saltpeter would drive down a mans sex drive, which was seen as beneficial for military personnel when their wives and girlfriends were far away, wrote user Stephen Merkel. Whats a good substitute for saltpeter? Explained by Sharing Culture "Saltpetre," (the term refers either to potassium or sodium nitrate) has no effect on carnal urges. Ironically, this high stress level may reduce testosterone levels just when they need it most. You can use potassium nitrate to cure food such as ham, fish, and other preserved meats. Reacting the nitric acid with a potassium compound yielded potassium nitrate. A further concern, though, is the possible formation of nitrosamines within the human body. The mining process involved extracting the calcium nitrate using water and large square vats to filter the cave dirt. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.. The story that this chemical was put into soldiers' food to decrease their sex drive is a total myth. saltpetre, also spelled Saltpeter, also called Nitre, or Niter, any of three naturally occurring nitrates, distinguished as (1) ordinary saltpetre, or potassium nitrate, KNO3; (2) Chile saltpetre, cubic nitre, or sodium nitrate, NaNO3; and (3) lime saltpetre, wall saltpetre, or calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2. The deposits in the great limestone caves of Kentucky, Virginia, and Indiana have probably been derived from . if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'allusesof_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-allusesof_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Saltpeter has been used as a food additive for many years. As female readers may imagine, however, the idea that something is being administered to us which will mess up our erections, well, that is a great source of anxiety. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), or its close relative, erythorbic acid, can be added by manufacturers to curb the reaction of nitric oxide with amines. They overturn the underlying minerals hence makes mining easier. Ask Amy: Woman doesn't want her children exposed to her parents ThoughtCo. Q. His best-selling book, The Peoples Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. Botulism refers to bacteria that cause lethal food poisoning. Why Do We Say a Fifth of Whiskey, Rum, or Vodka. In addition to KNO3, the compounds sodium nitrate (NaNO3), calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2), and magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO3)2) are also sometimes referred to as saltpeter. 10) stamped, self-addressed envelope: Graedons Peoples Pharmacy, No. When proteins break down during cooking they can yield amines which in turn react with nitrites to form nitrosamines. The substance is essential for producing gun powder and fireworks. Saltpeter has been used as a food additive for many years. In general, the clinical signs of schizophrenia are less severe for women. Please tell me the solution to reduce swelling . Adding potassium nitrate to meat causes a reaction between the hemoglobin and myoglobin in blood, making the meat appear red.