The orthosilicic acid it is a predominant chemical compound in a family of compounds known as silicic acids. Said acids contain the element silicon bound to oxygen and hydroxides whose general formula is [SiOx(OH)4-2x]n. Its chemical formula is H4Yes4 and its structure is presented in figure 1.
Orthosilicic acid is a hydrated form of silicon dioxide, from the Miscellaneous Silicates family. These are inorganic compounds in which the largest metallic oxoanion is the silicate, to which no atom or a non-metallic atom is attached.
It is considered as the mother substance from which a large family of minerals (silicates), salts and esters is derived. The acid can only be prepared as an unstable solution in water;
Its molecules easily condense together to form water and three-dimensional polymer chains, rings, sheets or networks that constitute the structural units of silica gel and many minerals that have a very low solubility in water (Britannica, 1998).
Orthosilicic acid is naturally found in fresh waters and sea waters, it is also found in certain beverages such as beer.
It is produced by a non-biological process called hydration that involves water and quartz, which are known to be common on Earth. The reaction that produces silicic acid from quartz can be written as:
Yestwo + 2HtwoO → H4Yes4
The compound is commonly called soluble silica, since orthosilicic acid is the way in which the body obtains the mineral silicon, which is necessary in the synthesis of collagen and in the formation of bones..
Although orthosilicic acid is found in water, there are known cases of people with a lack of silicon. As a result, the use of orthosilicic acid supplements has increased (Orthosilicic Acid, S.F.).
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Orthosilicic acid is a white amorphous (non-crystalline) solid without a characteristic odor (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2017). Its appearance is shown in figure 2.
Its molecular weight is 60.06 g / mol, its density is 1.8 g / ml and it is insoluble in cold water and soluble in hot water and ethanol (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015).
The compound is incompatible with fluorides such as hydrogen fluoride, zenon hexafluoride, oxygen difluoride, and chlorine trifluoride. Substance can explode when wet and heated with magnesium.
Orthosilicic acid is classified as a stable compound, however mutagenic effects have been found for somatic cells of certain non-human mammals..
The substance acts as a desiccant and can cause irritation, dryness of the skin in addition to causing dryness and irritation of the mucous membranes and respiratory tract in case of severe exposure..
No adverse effects are expected in case of contact with the eyes, but the dust may cause mechanical irritation..
It can be harmful if ingested in large quantities. However, no adverse effects are expected for industrial numerical handling. Epidemiological studies indicate a low potential for adverse health effects (Material Safety Data Sheet Silicic acid, 2013).
Orthosilicic acid is the main form of bioavailable silicon. It has been proposed that relatively insoluble forms of silica can also release small but significant amounts of silicon into biological compartments..
For example, colloidal silicic acid, silica gel, and zeolites, although relatively insoluble in water, can increase concentrations of water-soluble silica and are believed to depend on specific structural physico-chemical characteristics (Lela Munjas Jurkić, 2013).
Collectively, the food supply provides enough silicon in the forms mentioned above that it could be absorbed and significantly improve overall human health despite the negative perception of silica as a health hazard.
Dietary sources of bioavailable silicon include whole grains, cereals, beer, and some vegetables like green beans. Silicon in the form of silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), is a common food additive but has limited intestinal absorption. (Ray Sahelian, 2016).
Silicon has already been associated with bone mineralization, collagen synthesis, skin, hair and nails, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, strengthening the immune system and also other disorders or pharmacological effects.
Silicon has been suggested to play a role in connective tissue formation and is present at 1-10 ppm in hair.
Choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid is a bioavailable form of silicon that has been found to improve skin microrelief and mechanical properties of the skin in women with photoaged skin..
Oral intake of choline stabilized orthosilicic acid had a positive effect on the tensile strength including elasticity and breaking load of the hair and resulted in thicker hair (Barel A, 2005).
In a 2008 study, 136 women with osteopenia took orthosilicic acid along with calcium and vitamin D, or a simple placebo, every day for a year. After completing the year, participants who received orthosilicic acid had shown greater improvements in bone formation.
The scientists attributed this to the ability of orthosilicic acid to stimulate the production of collagen (a protein found in connective tissue) and to promote the development of "bone-forming cells.".
One of the first studies, conducted in 1997, investigated the effects of orthosilicic acid on joint health in calves.
The researchers found that calves that were fed an orthosilicic acid supplement typically had a higher concentration of collagen in their cartilage, indicating stronger and healthier joints..
The researchers weren't entirely sure whether orthosilicic acid supplementation would result in the same effects in humans, although more recent studies suggest that OSA can replicate similar results..
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