Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate

Description

In addition to its use in foods as a flavor enhancer, nutrient supplement and processing aid, magnesium sulfate (as Epsom salt) is employed in over-the-counter preparations as a laxative. As a legend (prescription drug) it has been used as an anticonvulsant and electrolyte replenisher.

Description

Anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is commonly used as a drying agent in organic chemistry. It is typically used to dry the organic layer after an aqueous work-up. Anhydrous magnesium sulfate is added to the wet organic layer and the resulting solid magnesium sulfate hydrate is simply removed by filtration, providing a dry (anhydrous) organic filtrate. Anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) is the other drying agent that is commonly used for similar purposes.

Chemical properties

White or almost white, crystalline powder or brilliant, colourless crystals.

The Uses of Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate

Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate has been used:

• as a component in Kreb′s Ringer buffer
• as a component in minimal medium to culture Ralstonia solanacearum
• in the preparation of maceration solution for Lamb′s lettuce cell isolation and isotonic glucose buffer

The Uses of Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate

Used in preparation of magnesium standard solutions

The Uses of Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate

Magnesium Sulfate is a nutrient and dietary supplement. It is soluble in water and its solutions are neutral. It exists as crystals with a cooling, saline, bitter taste. It is also termed epsom salt.

What are the applications of Application

Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate is a preparation of magnesium sulfate

Definition

Epsomite: a mineral form of magnesiumsulphate heptahydrate,MgSO₄.7H₂O.

General Description

Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate is hydroscopic and is vulnerable to warm temperatures.

Agricultural Uses

Epsomite (MgSO₄·7H₂O), a naturally occurring mineral, has needle-like, orthorhombic crystals. It may be found in the saline efflorescence of the surface of some soils of arid regions. It is soluble in water, which makes magnesium easily available to plants. It is used as a source of magnesium in many chemical industries like paper, sugar refining, etc.
Epsom salt, MgSO₄·7H₂O(rhombic), is the commonest hydrate of magnesium sulphate. Used as a plant nutrient to overcome magnesium deficiency, epsom salt finds application in fertilizer manufacture besides being used in fireproofing cotton and in tanning leather. Epsom salt is also known to be a laxative.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate is used as a source of magnesium in foliar application of fertilizers to plants.