Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a polymer compound used in various industries, including medicine, personal care, metallurgy, and food. It is a safe binding agent in medical tablets and a thirst quencher for metals. PVP is also used as a stabilizer in processed foods and as a fining agent in white wine. However, it is toxic to aquatic life and can cause pulmonary vascular injury if misused.
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a polymer compound or compound that has a long and repeating structure. This polymer was discovered in 1939 by Walter Reppe and has since been used in many industries for its adhesion capabilities. The medical field uses polyvinylpyrrolidone as a blood plasma expander, but it is most often found in medical tablets as a relatively safe binding agent. Other industries use it as a thirst quencher for metals and a food stabilizer. Polyvinylpyrrolidone is a flaky substance when dry, can absorb large amounts of water, and is deadly toxic to aquatic life.
Reppe, who was working with the monomer N-vinylpyrrolidone, discovered the compound polyvinylpyrrolidone in 1939. Known for his work with the chemistry of acetylene, or hydrocarbon acetylene, he thought of PVP as one of the more interesting derivatives that you discover; so, he patented it. The substance was initially used as a substitute for blood plasma. PVP, when dry, is a flaky substance, and is capable of dissolving in water. When introduced to aquatic life, PVP is extremely toxic and kills organisms almost instantly.
Polyvinylpyrrolidone is still often used in combination with blood plasma, but not as a substitute. It works more like an expander to help trauma victims with extreme blood loss. Most often, PVP is used in oral tablets that are safe when used as directed. If someone misuses PVP-containing tablets, especially if the tablet is injected rather than taken orally, PVP can cause pulmonary vascular injury, which can be fatal.
Many common personal care products use polyvinylpyrrolidone as a binding agent to keep the other components stable and together. Toothpaste, hairspray and shampoo are three examples. Other common products that contain PVP are adhesives that need to be moistened before they activate, such as those on postage stamps and envelopes.
Metallurgists use polyvinylpyrrolidone in the process known as metal quenching. Quenching occurs when the metal is rapidly brought from a high temperature to a low temperature to avoid phase changes that would occur if the metal cooled naturally. When used in this process, PVP is always a liquid solution, because its dry state cannot produce the same effect.
The food industry also uses polyvinylpyrrolidone. In foods that need stabilizers, mostly processed foods, PVP acts as a stabilizer and fixes all the components to work together. The wine industry, in particular white wine, uses it as a fining agent, that is a substance which eliminates unwanted sediments and organic compounds.
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