IUPAC Name
Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate
Cas Number
10034-99-8
HS Code
2833.21.00
Formula
H14MgSO11
Appearance
White Crystalline Powder
Common Names
Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate, Sulfuric Acid Magnesium Salt (1:1), Heptahydrate
Packaging
25 kg plastic bags/fiber drums
Brief Overview
Magnesium sulfate is an inorganic salt with the chemical formula MgSO4. It occurs in two forms, monohydrate and heptahydrate. The heptahydrate form is MgSO4.7H2O and is commonly called Epsom salt. The monohydrate is MgSO4.H2O and is present in the form of a mineral called kieserite.
Manufacturing Process
Magnesium sulfate is often obtained from natural sources, such as minerals in geological environments. They occur by the supergene process, that is, their enrichment occurs relatively near the surface. Magnesium sulfate is an important constituent of evaporitic potassium-magnesium salt deposits. Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate occurs naturally as the mineral epsomite. Another mineral called alpersite contains copper and the heptahydrate form of magnesium sulfate.
Food Industry
Magnesium sulfate is used as a dough conditioner in baked goods. It can improve the texture and appearance of bread, cakes, and other baked products.
Medical Industry
Epsom salt is a common pharmaceutical preparation of magnesium and is used both externally and internally. Epsom salt is given orally as a saline laxative or osmotic purgative. It is the main preparation of intravenous magnesium. It is used in replacement therapy for hypomagnesemia, as an antiarrhythmic agent in cardiac arrest, and as a bronchodilator in severe asthma exacerbations. It is also given as first aid for barium chloride poisoning.
Cosmetic Industry
Magnesium sulfate is used in bath salts and to prepare foot baths to soothe sore feet. The addition of Epsom salt increases the ionic strength and prevents temporary skin wrinkling. It also gets absorbed into the skin and reduces inflammation. It is also used in floatation therapy, where a high concentration of Epsom salt raises the bath water's specific gravity and makes the body buoyant.
Other Applications
Magnesium sulfate is used to maintain the magnesium concentration in marine aquaria, which consists of large quantities of stony corals, to stabilize the calcium ions depleted by the calcification process.
