News
Medical Uses for D-Limonene
It seems every so often a miracle cure is discovered that heals the body or prevents disease or distress. Typically, science proves the cure to be a farce, at least for the most part. D-limonene does not fit this criterion. Scientists have tested d-limonene on rats and humans, and the success of their studies is overwhelmingly positive. Read below for a synopsis of only a few health benefits of d-limonene.
Derived from the rind of citrus fruits, d-limonene is a prevalent terpene. Terpenes are potent antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties, help control or prevent cancer, and curb appetite. All plants synthesize terpenes, which act as a natural resistance against physical and environmental stress, as well as insect defense. Since people eat plants, the terpenes enter our bodies and interact with NF-kappaB, the gene signal regulating immunity and cellular inflammation, thereby supporting the body’s normal defense systems against invasive pathogens.
As a solvent for cholesterol, d-limonene dissolves gallstones that contain cholesterol.
Sluggish bowels are often caused by abundant amounts of Candida albicans or other harmful pathogens, which produce toxic waste metabolites. D-limonene neutralizes these pathogens with its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. Within the stomach, d-limonene also neutralizes gastric acid to support normal peristalsis, and relieves heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) in the stomach and esophagus.
The liver is a powerful detoxification center in the body. D-limonene aids the liver’s Phase I and Phase II detoxification enzymes in their important role of cleansing the body of harmful chemicals and fat.
As an aid to the lymphatic system, d-limonene breaks down fat-soluble barriers that cause headaches, mucus buildup, and joint stiffness.
Breathing in the pure aroma of citrus, where d-limonene originates, has been proven to elevate hormone levels to reduce anxiety and calm allergic reactions.
In clinical trials involving diabetic rats, d-limonene improved all major antioxidant enzymes. Further studies found animals given d-limonene reduced their food intake and body weight, had lower blood cholesterol levels, and prevented the buildup of fat in the liver and elsewhere in the body.
D-limonene activates adenosine A(2A) receptors on cell membranes, which, in turn, triggers dopamine transmission. When A(2A) receptors are not activated, a hyperimmune response results, like allergic reactions, or other fallacies of the nervous system may occur, such as anxiety or insomnia.
For more information on d-limonene, or other chemicals, call Orlando chemical supplier, Bell Chem, at (407) 339-BELL, or browse the website. Bell Chem is proud to be a leader in the chemical supply industry.
Oxygen Scavengers
While we consider oxygen extremely important for life, it has only been quite recently in the history of the world that oxygen moved from the category of “toxic chemical” to “life-giving gas,” both classifications due to its ability to chemically bond with so many elements. Today, there are still instances where oxygen causes extreme damage. In chemistry, a scavenger is a substance that removes or de-activates impurities. Oxygen scavengers remove oxygen or prevent an oxidation reaction--the transfer of electrons from one chemical to another. As it relates to oxygen, an oxidation reaction forms an oxide. Because of its electronegativity, oxygen is highly reactive and quickly bonds to almost every other element when exposed to elevated temperatures, forming an oxide of that element. However, a number of elements form oxides at standard temperatures, most readily identified as iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3)--commonly referred to as “rust”. Oxygen scavenging negates the presence of oxygen in normal atmospheric conditions, stanching its ability to corrode or form oxides.
Oxygen scavenging is a simple process that occurs when an organic chemical--which tends to have a slightly negative charge--comes in contact with a slightly positive oxygen molecule. In essence, science has caused oxidation to occur with a compound at our discretion rather than nature’s. Oxygen is absorbed from the surrounding area and its ability to corrode is negated. Two oxygen scavengers used in this manner are the water treatment chemicals: sodium hydrogen carbonate and ascorbic acid. Adding either of these chemicals, or any other oxygen scavenger, negates oxygen’s corrosive properties. Carbohydrazine is another oxygen scavenger known for its ability to convert iron (III) oxide (ferric oxide) to iron (II) oxide (ferrous oxide). In order to control the corrosive properties of oxygen, it is imperative to introduce oxygen scavengers into a water treatment system. Without water treatment chemical oxygen scavengers, the metals will corrode and cause maintenance difficulties and breakdowns, and, more importantly, the health of consumers will be negatively affected.
If you’re looking for a water treatment chemical supplier, contact Bell Chem. We’re the the leading chemical supply company in Orlando and we’re more than happy to help you in any way that we can. For more information, call 407-339-BELL (2355) today.
Hydrogen Chloride as a pH Conditioner
Obtained from a water treatment chemical supplier, hydrogen chloride has an extremely low pH (around 1.5-2), making it a strong acid. The water treatment process is often presented with situations that demand an added strong acid and hydrogen chloride, which becomes hydrochloric acid when it forms an aqueous solution with water, fills this role nicely. Hydrogen chloride’s role in the water treatment process is to lower the pH of basic (alkaline) water. When water is too alkaline, corrosion in pipes and equipment occurs, and, more significantly, the health of anyone drinking the water is negatively affected. Elevated pH levels also causes scale formations in water treatment equipment, eventually lead to pinhole leaks in copper pipes, decrease water heater efficiency, and stain porcelain.
If you are concerned about the pH balance of your water, specifically if your water is basic, it is important to recognize the signs of alkaline water. Your water will taste bitter, and the telltale blue-green staining caused by the leaching of copper from pipes will be noted on surfaces coming in contact with the water. To remedy this situation, hydrogen chloride is a dependable acid with many benefits. While other strong acids are available, the water treatment chemical, hydrochloric acid, is the least hazardous to handle, the most stable during storage (concentrations of HCl in water remain more constant than other acids), is available as a pure reagent, and it contains non-toxic and non-reactive chloride ions.
To keep your water treatment equipment safe, check the pH frequently. When a strong acid is necessary to counteract a basic pH, rely on hydrogen chloride to work quickly and effectively. If you’re looking for water treatment chemicals or a water treatment chemical supplier, contact Bell Chem at 407-339-BELL (2355) today.
Water Treatment From Start to Finish
Worldwide pollution has rendered it nearly impossible to dip your hand into a pool of fresh water and enjoy a hand-full of water free of biological contaminants, chemicals, and suspended solids. Instead, our drinking water must be purified for our safety. The process of purification depends on the end result of the water: will it be used for drinking, within a hospital, for irrigation, or another use? Methods of purification include filtration, sedimentation, flocculation, ultraviolet light, and chlorination, to name a few. Chemical testing and treatment are the foremost methods of decontamination of pathogens, making water treatment chemical suppliers an important piece to the purification puzzle. The role, amount, and mixture of chemicals used to treat water are dependent upon the application, but a broad overview follows.
Calcium hydroxide: Used to increase the alkalinity of water to promote water hardness and buffering.
Carbon dioxide: Decreases water’s pH to allow for coagulation (flocculation).
Hydrated aluminum sulphate: This substance acts as a flocculant.
Ozone: Responsible for removing toxins, herbicides, pesticides, organic matter, and compounds affecting taste and odor.
Polyaluminum chloride: Aids in flocculation.
Polyelectrolyte: Also aids in flocculation.
Potassium permanganate: Removes iron and manganese.
Sodium hydroxide: Helps to increase the pH levels.
Sodium hypochlorite: Acts as a disinfectant.
Water purification is not limited to adding chemicals to our water supply. Other factors are necessary to bring us the life-giving properties of contaminant-free drinking water. Without these chemicals, provided by a water treatment chemical supplier, the process would take much longer at a significant increase in expense.
If you’re look for a water treatment chemical supplier in the Central Florida area, contact Bell Chem today at 407-339-BELL (2355). We’re more than happy to present you with additional information on water treatment chemicals and direct you to the products that suit your needs.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Traditionally, drinking water is treated with chlorine to control bacteria and other pollutants. However, it has been proven that chlorine causes many difficulties in the human body, such as severe chemical burns from direct contact or lung irritation from breathing in chlorine gases. What if another water treatment chemical option existed to treat water--something with the same result as chlorine, but without the harmful side effects? The answer may be as close as your home’s medicine cabinet: hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is not a caustic acid like chlorine. For this reason, using hydrogen peroxide in a water treatment system is considered better for the environment as well as for the population served by the water treatment facility. Rather than the harmful chlorinate hydrocarbons and salt residuals remaining from chlorine use, hydrogen peroxide effuses oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide’s oxidation process is advantageous in finding and destroying bacteria in water. Once added as a water treatment chemical, hydrogen peroxide biodegrades into oxygen and water, leaving nothing detrimental to the environment.
While the initial cost of hydrogen peroxide exceeds that of chlorine in the same concentration, hydrogen peroxide works more quickly to rid water of contaminants, or can be diluted for the same results as chlorine. Considering hydrogen peroxide is safer to handle, far superior in its effects on the environment, produces natural and safe waste products, and works more quickly to clean water in many instances, it may be time to invest in hydrogen peroxide for water treatment.
If you’re looking to purchase hydrogen peroxide or any other water treatment chemicals, contact Bell Chem today at 407-339-BELL (2355). We’re the leading water treatment chemical supplier in the Central Florida area and we’re more than happy to help you with your chemical needs.