Molecules Around Me

Jacob Wright

Product: Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein

Category- Food and Nutritional Supplements
Description- Protein Powder used to decrease the recovery time of muscles after
a workout.
Ingredients- Super Whey Protein Blend, Maltodextrin, Peanut Flour, Cocoa, Soy
Lecithin, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Cellulose Gum, Acesulfame Potassium,
Sucralose.

Compound #1: Soy Lecithin

Molecular Formula- C35H66NO7P
Organic because it contains carbon.
Summary- The purpose of Soy Lecithin is an emulsifier, preservative, and for
coating. Soy Lecithin was used in this product to help the powder mix with water.
References- http://www.chemicalbook.com/CAS/GIF/8002-43-5.gif http:
//healthyeating.sfgate.com/purpose-lecithin-3558.html
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/57369748

Compound #2- Maltodextrin

Molecular Formula- C6nH(10n+2)O(5n+1)
Organic because it contains Carbon
Summary- Maltodextrin is a food additive which serves 3 main purposes. Food
bulking, crystallizing sugars, and drying food.
References- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltodextrin
http://www.livestrong.com/article/447600-why-use-maltodextrin-in-food/

Compound #3- Acesulfame Potassium

Molecular Formula- C4H4KNO4S
Organic because it contains Carbon.
Summary- Acesulfame Potassium is used as a substitute for sugar and is much
sweeter than sugar. Although it has been considered safe by the FDA many
people claim it is the most harmful artificial sweetener.
References- http://chemistry.about.com/od/factsstructures/ig/ChemicalStructures---A/Acesulfame-Potassium.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acesulfame_potassium

Compound #4- Sucralose

Molecular Formula- C12H19Cl3O8
Organic because it contains Carbon.
Summary- Sucralose is a sweetener, however it is not broken down by the body
so it is noncaloric, making it perfect for things such as Whey Protein.
References- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucralose
http://f.tqn.com/y/chemistry/1/S/N/4/2/sucralose-splenda.png

Compound #5- Cellulose Gum

Molecular Formula- Cellulose Derivative with carboxymethyl groups bonded to
hydroxyl groups to make a cellulose backbone.
Organic because it does have carbon.
Summary- Cellulose Gum is mainly used as a thickener and used in many
different things, such as ice cream, toothpaste, etc. Used widely because of its
high viscosity, nontoxic and is hypoallergenic.
References- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboxymethyl_cellulose
http://www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/topic_centers/FoodNutrition/642x361_What_Are_the_Benefits_and_Risks_of_Cellulose_Gum.jpg

Product- Ibuprofen
Category- Healthcare and Medicinal Products
Description- Pain reliever for headaches, muscle aches, fevers, common colds,
etc.
IngredientsActive- Ibuprofen 200 mg
Inactive- colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, croscarmellose sodium,
hypromellose, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, microcrystalline cellulose,
polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, stearic acid, titanium oxide.

Compound #1- Colloidal Silicon Dioxide

Molecular Formula- SiO2
Not an organic molecule.
Summary- Silicon Dioxide is said to be one of the oldest compounds known.
Silicon Dioxide has the ability to prevent clumping together, which is why it is used
in supplements. This compound helps prevent the different powders in
supplements from sticking together.
References- http://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/is-silicon-dioxide-insupplements-safe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_dioxide
http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.22683.html

Compound #2- Iron Oxide

Molecular Formula- Fe2O3
Inorganic Molecule.
Summary- Iron Oxide is an inactive ingredient in Ibuprofen and is only used for its
red color. Iron Oxide is the ingredient which gives Ibuprofen a reddish brick color.
References- http://www.chemspider.com/ImagesHandler.ashx?
id=452497&w=250&h=250
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron(III)_oxide

Compound #3- Stearic Acid

Molecular Formula- C18H36O2
Organic because it contains carbon.
Summary- Stearic Acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid. Because of this it is
used as a hardener or thickener. Stearic Acid is also used in many beauty
products.
References- http://www.foodnetworksolution.com/uploaded/StearicAcid.gif
http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/cleansing/products/stearic-acid-in-skincleansers.htm

Compound #4- Polyethylene Glycol

Molecular Formula- C2nH4n+2On+1
Organic because it is carbon based.
Summary- Polyethylene Glycol is usually used to treat constipation, however I am
unsure why it is used as an inactive ingredient in Ibuprofen. Most likely because
of its ability to retain water in the stomach.
References- https://www.mpbio.com/images/product-images/molecularstructure/02194839.png

Compound #5- Titanium Oxide

Molecular Formula- TiO2
Not organic because it is not carbon based.
Summary- Titanium Oxide or Titanium Dioxide is used for the same reason Iron
Oxide was- coloring. Titanium Oxide has a white color which is used in Ibuprofen.
References- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium_dioxide
http://zinka.com/Images/ingredients/titanium-dioxide.jpg
http://www.chemspider.com/ImagesHandler.ashx?id=24256&w=250&h=250

Product- Old Spice Pure Sport Body Wash

Category- Personal Hygiene and Cleaning Products
Description- Soap to clean yourself and make you not smell bad.
Ingredients- Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauryl
Sulfate, Fragrance, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzonate,
Disodium Edta, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Blue 1, Yellow
5.

Compound #1- Water

Molecular Formula- H2O
Not an organic molecule.
Summary- Water or Dihydrogen Monoxide is amazing. It is so special because of
its hydrogen bonds and is the reason we are living today.
References- http://www.physicsofmatter.com/NotTheBook/Talks/Ice/Image1.gif
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/water

Compound #2- Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Molecular Formula- CH3(CH2)10CH2(OCH2CH2)nOSO3N
Organic Compound.
Summary- Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a very inexpensive foaming agent. This
makes it perfect for things such as shampoo, body wash, etc.
References- https://upload.wikimedia.
org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Sodium_laureth_sulfate_2.svg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_laureth_sulfate

Compound #3- Sodium Chloride

Molecular Formula- NaCl
Not an organic molecule.
Summary- Although Sodium Chloride (Salt) is thought of as being used as regular
salt it is also used in soaps to act as a thickener.
References- http://study.com/cimages/multimages/16/nacl_ionic_bond.png
http://scitoys.com/ingredients/shampoo.html

Compound #4- Citric Acid

Molecular Formula- C6H8O7
Organic because it contains carbon.
Summary- Citric Acid is a naturally occurring acid found in Citrus Fruits. Citric
Acid is used in things such as shampoos and body washes to stabilize the pH.
References- http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM151W/04Solutions/acids/CitricAcid.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid

Compound #5- Sodium Benzonate

Molecular Formula- NaC7H5O2
Organic because it contains Carbon.
Summary- Sodium Benzonate really has only 1 main purpose. It acts as a
preservative not only in foods but also in products such as shampoo and body
wash.
References- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_benzoate
http://f.tqn.com/y/chemistry/1/S/f/5/1/sodium_benzoate.jpg