Question

What is the role of tartaric acid in baking powder?

Answer 1

Tartaric acid: It is a natural component found in fruits and vegetables such as grapes, tomatoes, and bananas. Tartaric acid has a chemical formula${\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_6{\mathrm{O}}_6$.

Baking soda: It is a basic compound that is made up of Sodium bicarbonate, which is also known as sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda has the chemical formula ${\mathrm{NaHCO}}_3.$

Neutralization reaction:

• When equal amounts of acid and base are combined, salt and water are produced.
• Thus, when we add Baking soda and Tartaric acid together due to differences in their nature, they undergo a neutralization chemical reaction.
• Neutralization reactions occur because baking soda is a base and tartaric acid is an acid.
• In this chemical reaction, when Baking soda reacts with Tartaric acid and water, it gives Carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$gas, Hydrogen$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$ gas, and Sodium hydroxide(NaOH).
• The chemical reaction is: $\underset{\left(\mathrm{Baking}\mathrm{Soda}\right)}{{\mathrm{NaHCO}}_3\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\left(\mathrm{Tartaric}\mathrm{acid}\right)}{{\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_6{\mathrm{O}}_6\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\left(\mathrm{Water}\right)}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}\to \underset{\left(\mathrm{Cabon}\mathrm{dioxide}\right)}{5{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{\left(\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{hydroxide}\right)}{\mathrm{NaOH}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\left(\mathrm{Hydrogen}\right)}{5{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}$
• If we don't add tartaric acid in baking powder, due to the presence of sodium carbonate the Bread or cake will taste bitter.

Final Answer: Hence, The main role of tartaric acid in baking powder is to avoid the bitter taste by neutralizing the sodium carbonate produced by baking powder.