Silicon

Silicon (from lat. silex "pebble") is a classic semi-metal that has properties of both metals and non-metals.

Elementary silicon is non-toxic to the human body, and in bound form is important for humans. A lack of silicon can lead to growth disorders, among other things.

The following silicon compounds are of pharmaceutical or food technical importance:

• Silicates: Silicon reacts with alkaline solutions to form silicates (silicates). See under food supplements. Silicates used in food technology include:
• sodium aluminium silicate (E 554)
• Potassium aluminium silicate(E 555)
• Calcium aluminium silicates (E 556)
• Talcum = magnesium hydroxide polysilicate(E 553b)
• Betonite = sodium magnesium aluminium silicate with a variable proportion of water of crystallization (E 558)
• Kaolin = aluminium silicate(E 559)

Other silicon compounds are:

Silicides: Silicon reacts with metals at high temperatures to form silicides.

Siloxanes. The hydrogen-oxygen compounds of silicon are also called silicones. A polysiloxane that is often used medicinally is silicone oil (silicone oil).

Silicic acids (orthosilicic acids) are formed by decomposition of silicon chloride with water, are volatile and accumulate to form meta-silicic acid or di-silicic acid and under contaminated conditions. Under certain conditions they form polysilicic acids.

Silicon dioxide (silica): Highly dispersed silicon dioxide is widely used both in the food industry (E 551) and pharmaceuticals.

Siliceous earth (diatomaceous earth), also known as Terra silicea (purificata), an amorphous substance composed of fossil deposits of silica and other deposits which are used in various applications. It is used medicinally for various indications (hair and nail growth disorders).