What Is Titanium Dioxide?

Skittles has been making headlines in recent weeks and not because a new flavor has been added to the popular taste the rainbow candy.

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined from the earth, processed and refined, and added to a variety of foods, as well as other consumer products. White in color, it is used to enhance the color and sheen of certain foods and is also key for food safety applications. In its natural state it exists in different bulk crystalline forms, such as anatase and rutile, but during processing it is ground into a very fine powder.

Testing samples were made mixing 100 uL of TiO₂NPs suspensions (0.2 mg/mL and 0.02 mg/mL) and vitamins@P25TiO₂NPs (0.2 mg/mL and 0.02 mg/mL) with 100 μL ATCC 29,213 methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (10⁷ in PBS, pH 7). Controls were made replacing nanoparticles with the same volume of PBS. The concentrations of nanoparticle suspensions were chosen based on the FDA approved maximal and the minimal amount usually found in sunscreens, which are 20% and 2% (this is equivalent to 0.2 mg/mL and 0.02 mg/mL for nanoparticles suspensions). The cream concentration, on the other hand, was an intermediate value of 10%.

Barium sulphate is typically described as a white, odorless powder. This white coloration is due to its crystalline structure and the arrangement of Ba^2+ and SO₄^2− ions within the compound. The brightness and consistency of this white powder are crucial for its use in various applications. For instance, in the pharmaceutical industry, barium sulphate is used as a radiopaque agent in X-ray imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. In this context, its purity and the absence of color impurities are vital for ensuring accurate imaging results.

Is titanium dioxide dangerous? Has it been linked to any health issues?

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂). Titanium dioxide is the most common white pigment used today. As a pigment, titanium dioxide is unique because it combines both high colouring and high opacifying capacity. This is mainly due to its high refractive index (2.7). Furthermore, titanium dioxide is an excellent UV absorber (it is used in sun protective creams). Some typical properties are: density 3.3-4.25 g/cm³; pH of water suspension 3.5-10.5; particle size 8–300 nm; oil absorption 10–45 g/100 g; specific surface area 7–160 m²/g. Most titanium dioxide is produced from the rutile (TiO₂) or ilmenite (titanate of ferrous iron). Titanium dioxide can be obtained using different processes.

Titanium IV oxide, also known as titanium dioxide, is a popular and versatile compound that is used in various industries. It is a white pigment and is commonly found in products such as sunscreen, paints, food coloring, and even in some medications. This versatile compound has unique properties that make it an essential ingredient in many products.

Titanium dioxide remains in many food products in this country because of regulatory folly by the Food and Drug Administration, which allows problematic food ingredients to remain undetected and unreviewed.