Exploring the EDTA Full Form and Applications

schedule-calendar
March 28, 2024
edta full form

Table of Contents

Introduction: What is EDTA full form?


People often use EDTA as a chelating or sequestering agent. It binds to various metal ions, including calcium, iron, and copper. EDTA full form is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid it is a white, water-soluble chemical.

Definition of EDTA

A compound that can bind certain metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, lead, and iron. Also, it drops calcium and lead from the body. EDTA’s full form is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.

Overview of EDTA

The chemical structure and properties of EDTA

When mixed with various metals generates six-membered chelate rings. EDTA also produced tetrasodium EDTA, sodium calcium EDTA, and other salts. 

Historical background and discovery of EDTA

In 1935, Ferdinand Munz was the first to discover EDTA. The most common manufacturing technique is alkaline cyanomethylation of ethylenediamine. With the help of sodium cyanide and formaldehyde.

Role and Functions of EDTA

Know below the functions of EDTA.

Chelating properties of EDTA and its importance

It is a colourless, water-soluble carboxylic acid used to dissolve limescale. It comes in various salts, the most common of which are disodium EDTA and calcium disodium EDTA. When EDTA combines with the calcium ions in dentine, soluble calcium chelates form.

Industrial applications of EDTA in various sectors

Use Sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid to acidify the sodium salt of EDTA. It is also used in redox reactions to polymerize butyl-benzene rubber. It is used as an activator to regulate the pace of polymerization.

Biological and medical uses of EDTA

By reducing EPS crosslinking, people use EDTA to lower cation concentration. It will increase EPS water solubility and availability of antimicrobials. EDTA may operate to prevent DNA destruction during tissue storage.

Industrial Applications of EDTA

Below are the industrial applications of EDTA.

EDTA in water treatment and purification processes

EDTA is found in household disinfectants. When fatty acid soaps are employed in the disinfectant composition.  The chelating ingredient prevents hard-water soap curd development.

EDTA as a metal ion chelator in chemical industries

EDTA binds to and traps various metal cations. It is employed to separate or purify solutions in many research operations. EDTA is a metal chelating agent. It has four carboxylates and two amine groups that can bind to metals. It is colourless. Also, water-soluble polyamino carboxylic acid is used to dissolve limescale.

EDTA’s role in food and beverage processing

EDTA has been used as a preservative in foods. Such as dried and canned beans, mayo, and cooked canned seafood, to keep flavor and color. Using preservatives also cuts down on food waste. EDTA comes in various forms. The one found in processed foods is a food-grade organic molecule. It is also used to improve some foods’ stability and shelf life. 

Biological and Medical Uses of EDTA

Doctors may prescribe EDTA to remove hazardous metals from the blood, such as lead. For decades, doctors have utilized the molecule to treat heavy metal poisoning.

EDTA’s Role in Medicine and Healthcare

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a drug that regulates. It treats heavy metal toxicity. It belongs to the chelating medication class. This activity describes and evaluates the indications, effects, and contraindications for using EDTA. In treating lead toxicity,  use EDTA  as a beneficial agent.

Chelation therapy and its applications

This therapy is the most effective medical treatment for acute toxic metal poisoning. Chelation therapy is a medical process. It removes these metals from your body so that you do not grow unwell due to them.

EDTA as a preservative and stabilizer in pharmaceuticals

EDTA is a used food additive and an element in cosmetic and industrial products. It is used in the food industry to maintain flavour, colour, and texture.

Environmental and Analytical Applications of EDTA

EDTA is water-soluble and non-volatile. EDTA has low toxicity for both humans and natural habitats.

EDTA’s role in environmental remediation

EDTA is water-soluble and non-volatile. It is dumped into the environment with wastewater effluent. EDTA is safe for both people and the environment. Low and medium EDTA concentrations may have a beneficial impact on the growth. 

EDTA as a complex agent in analytical chemistry

EDTA is employed in complexometric titrations and water hardness analysis in analytical chemistry.  Heavy metals bound to sediments can be desorbed by EDTA and DTPA.

EDTA’s contribution to soil and plant sciences

It is recognized for causing inaccurate platelet counts by automated hematological analyzers. When creating herbicides or other water-soluble or water-miscible herbicide formulations, they mix it with hard water, and EDTA stabilizes these formulations

Safety Considerations and Limitations of EDTA

EDTA appears safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding when used in food levels. More significant levels are unknown safety.

Potential hazards and precautions in handling EDTA


You should not apply Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid to the skin. Wear personal protective equipment made of materials. Those materials are impermeable to and unaffected by this chemical. Safety equipment vendors and manufacturers may recommend the best glove and clothing materials. You should do this before eating, drinking, or smoking, as well as before leaving the office. Do not inhale the dust.

Environmental impact and disposal of EDTA

EDTA is water-soluble and non-volatile. It is dumped into the environment with wastewater effluent. EDTA is safe for both people and the environment.

Regulatory guidelines and restrictions related to EDTA use

Calcium disodium EDTA is absorbed by your digestive system. The most daily intake (ADI) is 0.9 mg per pound (1.9 mg per kilogramme) of body weight (3).  The FDA has approved EDTA for the treatment of lead poisoning in both adults and children.

EDTA Future Developments and Research

The market is expanding due to the increased expenditure on healthcare by the government. The growing interest in understanding the immune system. 

Emerging trends and advancements in EDTA applications

Organic dyes are the most used indicators in complexometric titrations. They create a coloured complex with the metal ion that is being titrated. EDTA replaces the indicator during the reaction to form a more stable complex with metal.

Ongoing research and potential areas of exploration

EDTA has been suggested as the anticoagulant of choice for hematological testing. It offers the highest preservation of cellular components and blood cell shape.

Predictions for the future of EDTA and its significance

EDTA can be used to prevent DNA and RNA degradation. As well as inactivated nucleases that need metal ions. EDTA can also deactivate metal ion-requiring enzymes.

Conclusion

People use the chelating chemical EDTA in both domestic and industrial applications.

Reinforcing the importance of understanding EDTA

Research in outdoor contexts shows limited biodegradability. Research has determined that EDTA is a persistent chemical in the environment.

The diverse applications of EDTA

It is one of the anthropogenic substances. It is the most significant quantity in inland European waters. Researchers have degraded EDTA in the laboratory.

Learn more about some other full forms:

PVC Full FormATP Full FormIUPAC Full Form
NTG Full FormPCR Full FormDNA Full Form
BOD Full FormRNA Full FormHPLC Full Form

EDTA Full Form: FAQs

What is the purpose of the buffer solution in EDTA titration?

In EDTA titration, they use a buffer solution. It prevents pH changes, allowing metal ions and EDTA to react. The metal ions and EDTA are both pH-dependent.

Why is EDTA water-insoluble?

At low pH, EDTA’s carboxyl groups do not dissociate. Because the hydrogen has bonded, undissociated carboxyls (COOH) have no charge. So, acid EDTA is very insoluble in water.

What are the most common applications for EDTA?

Doctors use EDTA as a medicine to manage and treat heavy metal poisoning. It belongs to the chelating medication class.

Is EDTA bad for your skin?

EDTA is safe in cosmetics.
Research discovered that it is neither a skin sensitizer nor a carcinogen and does not penetrate the skin.

What are the EDTA guiding principles?

EDTA is the abbreviation for ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid. It isn’t easy to dissolve in water, while its disodium salt dissolves in water fast. Hexadentate ligand describes it. It creates a stable chelate complex by binding the metal ions in water.

Got a question on this topic?

Related Articles