Question

Name the acids and bases present in various food items

Answer 1

citric acid in lemon

Answer 2

An acid is a substance that donates hydrogen ions. Because of this, when an acid is dissolved in water, the balance between hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions is shifted. Now there are more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions in the solution. This kind of solution is acidic.

A base is a substance that accepts hydrogen ions. When a base is dissolved in water, the balance between hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions shifts the opposite way. Because the base "soaks up" hydrogen ions, the result is a solution with more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions. This kind of solution is alkaline.

On the acid side there's;-

1. Vinegar (~5% acetic acid)
2. Battery acid (~33% sulphuric acid)
3. Citric acid (found in lemon juice and also used in crystal form for cooking)
4. Tartaric Acid (also used in powdered form for cooking)
5.  Lactic acid (found in sour milk, yohgurt
6. And sometimes even hydrochloric acid (used as a lead or tin soldering flux)


In the bases section there's;-

1. Sodium bicarbonate (used in cooking and for the relief of acid reflux )
2. Sodium hydroxide  (caustic soda, found in some oven and drain cleaners)
3. Household bleach is a base since it contains sodium or calcium hypochlorite. Pool chlorine also contains the same or similar compounds)
4. Most washing detergents contain mild bases
5. Ammonia (used in some cleaning products)
6. Washing soda (sodium carbonate)
7. Lime (calcium hydroxide)
8. Cement (releases lime on contact with water)