What does «bicarbonato sódico» mean in Spanish?
- White crystalline powder, with a salty taste and not very soluble. It reacts with acids giving off carbon dioxide, so it is used in bakery and confectionery as an artificial yeast. Its aqueous solution is slightly alkaline and has great utility as an antacid to neutralize excessive gastric acidity, but, used without moderation, it can interfere with digestion and break the acid-base balance of the organism. It is manufactured in large quantities by the Solvay method from a solution of sodium chloride which is reacted with carbon dioxide and ammonia: NaCl + H2O + NH3 + CO2 --> NH4Cl + NaHCO3.