Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is a white crystalline powder that forms a weakly alkaline solution when dissolved in water. Due to this property, it is a highly versatile, fundamental chemical product used across the food, pharmaceutical, industrial, and agricultural/livestock sectors—serving functions such as leavening, neutralization, desulfurization, and pH regulation.
Sodium bicarbonate is an inorganic acid salt that appears as a white crystalline powder. When dissolved in water, it creates a weakly alkaline solution. In the food industry, it serves as a leavening agent and acidity regulator, and is widely used in products such as biscuits, pastries, and carbonated beverages.
In medicine, it acts as an antacid (neutralizing gastric acid), helps to alkalize urine, and is used to correct acidosis. When applied topically, it can soften earwax and be used to treat fungal vaginitis.
In industrial applications, it is utilized in cleaning agents, foam fire-extinguishing agents, and flue-gas desulfurization agents, as well as serving as a raw material for inorganic synthesis.
In agriculture and animal husbandry, it is used to adjust soil pH and as a feed additive.
