Lithopone is manufactured by a process (Fig. 1) in which barium sulfide solution is prepared by reducing barite ore (BaSO 4) with carbon and leaching the resulting mass.
The most significant uncertainty identified by the EU experts was the concern that TiO2 particles may have genotoxic effects. Genotoxicity refers to the ability of a chemical to directly damage genetic material within a cell (DNA), which may lead to cancer in certain situations. Although the experts did not conclude that TiO2 particles in E171 are genotoxic, they could not rule out the concern that they might be.
With 30% of the world's lithopone factories located in China, the country has become a major player in the global lithopone market. Chinese manufacturers are able to produce lithopone at a competitive price, making it an attractive option for companies looking to reduce their production costs. In addition, China's large production capacity ensures a steady and reliable supply of lithopone to markets around the world.
Infrared analysis showed that the characteristics bands for the bare nanoparticles are still exhibited in the vitamins@P25TiO2NPs spectra, such as a wide peak in 450–1028 cm−1 related to the stretching vibration of Ti-O-Ti and other peaks in 1630 cm−1 and 3400 cm−1, which represent the surface OH groups stretching. The IR spectrum of vitaminB2@P25TiO2NPs showed signs of binding between compounds. The OH bending peak (1634 cm−1) corresponding to bare nanoparticles disappeared, and the NH2 bending band characteristic of vitamin B2 appeared (1650 cm−1). The IR spectrum of vitaminC@P25TiO2NPs also showed signs of successful functionalization. Bands at 1075 cm−1; 1120 cm−1; 1141 cm−1 were observed, which are originated by C
O-C vibrations present in the vitamin C. The intense band at 1672 cm−1 is attributed to the C = O stretching in the lactone ring while the peak at 1026 cm−1 is ascribed to the stretching vibration Ti-O-C. Wide bands at 3880–3600 cm−1 are related to stretching vibration OH groups, but those disappear in the modified nanoparticles spectrum. These observations confirm the interactions between the P25TiO2NPs and the vitamins [35].