Acetic acid (Acidum aceticum)

Other names: Acetic Acid, Acidum aceticum concentratum, Acidum aceticum glaciale

Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)

Acetic acid is an organic substance that is found in plants and animals and is essential for certain types of bacteria. It has a slight acidic smell and taste and in its pure, concentrated form is a colourless liquid. Its other names are Acetic Acid, Acidum aceticum concentratum, Acidum aceticum glaciale. Acetic acid is an important component of vinegar, which is used in the production of many dishes. It also has many industrial applications in the textile, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

In the food industry, acetic acid is used as a preservative in some foods such as cabbage, pickles and other pickled foods, and is also found in some jams and juices. In cosmetics, acetic acid is commonly used in shampoos and lotions as a pH regulator. In industry, acetic acid is used in the manufacture of certain plastics such as polyvinyl acetate and polyethylene terephthalate. In the chemical industry, acetic acid is used in the production of acetanilide, which is used as an analgesic and antipyretic, and vinyl acetate, which is used in the production of paints. Acetic acid is also important for the production of drugs such as aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.