Antifoaming agent

Antifoaming agent

An antifoaming agent or defoamer is a chemical additive that reduces and hinders the formation of foam in industrial process liquids. The terms antifoam and defoamer are often used interchangeably.

Chemical properties

Commonly used agents are insoluble oils, polydimethylsiloxanes and other silicones, certain alcohols, stearates and glycols. The antifoaming agent functions by reducing the surface tension of a liquid, causing the foam bubbles to collapse. Antifoaming agents are used to prevent the formation of foam.

Applications

Antifoaming agents are used in many industrial processes and products: wood pulp, paper, paint, industrial wastewater treatment, food and beverage industry, oil industry, and so on. In the food and beverage industry, they are used as food additives to prevent effervescence or effusion in packaged food.

Food and beverage industry

In the food and beverage industry, antifoaming agents are added to prevent effervescence or effusion in packaged food. They are also used in fermentation processes for wine, beer and other alcoholic drinks. Some specific food products that use antifoaming agents include canned or bottled carbonated beverages, fruit juices, and edible oils and fats.

Health and safety

Most antifoaming agents are considered to be safe for consumption, with some exceptions. They are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, some types of antifoaming agents can cause health issues if consumed in large amounts.

See also

• Foam
• Surfactant
• Food additive