5. Polyphosphates

Starting from orthophosphoric acid (H ₃ PO ₄ ), we can obtain, on the one hand, polyphosphoric acids [P _n O _{(3n + 1)} H _{(n + 2)} ] and, on the other hand, metaphosphoric acids [(PO ₃ H) _n ]. The sodium and potassium salts of these acids constitute what are generally referred to in the meat industry as polyphosphates.

Polyphosphates are essentially obtained by heat treatment of orthophosphates (polymerization). The hydrolysis of these same polyphosphates in an aqueous medium also leads to orthophosphates (influence of pH, temperature, etc.).

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