medical use of titanium dioxide

The global lithopone market has seen a steady growth over the years, driven by the increasing demand from end-use industries, particularly construction and coatings. However, the market faces challenges, including price volatility due to raw material fluctuations and the ongoing shift towards more eco-friendly alternatives. This has led suppliers to invest in research and development to improve the sustainability of their products and processes.

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Australian researchers examined how titanium dioxide as a food additive affected gut microbiota in mice by orally administering it in drinking water. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition in 2019, found the treatment could “alter the release of bacterial metabolites in vivo and affect the spatial distribution of commensal bacteria in vitro by promoting biofilm formation. We also found reduced expression of the colonic mucin 2 gene, a key component of the intestinal mucus layer, and increased expression of the beta defensin gene, indicating that titanium dioxide significantly impacts gut homeostasis.” The changes were then linked to colonic inflammation, along with a higher expression of inflammatory cytokines, which are signal proteins that help with regulation. The researchers concluded that titanium dioxide “impairs gut homeostasis which may in turn prime the host for disease development.”

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Manufacturers of rutile titanium dioxide employ different processes to produce this versatile pigment. The two primary methods are the sulfate process and the chloride process. In the sulfate process, ilmenite ore is treated with sulfuric acid to form titanyl sulfate solution, which is subsequently processed into titanium dioxide. This method typically results in a more opaque and durable pigment that is preferred in applications where weatherability is crucial. On the other hand, the chloride process involves treating rutile ore with chlorine gas to produce titanium tetrachloride, which is then refined and oxidized to form titanium dioxide. This method often yields a higher purity product suitable for applications requiring greater brightness and color stability.

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