Teresa Huff
5th Period
The Molecules around Me
Category: Healthcare and medicinal products
Product Information:
Name: Mucinex Fast-Max
Description: Medication for cold, flu, and sore throat
Ingredients: Active - Acetaminophen 325 mg, Dextromethorphan HBr 10 mg, Guaifenesin 200
mg, Phenylephrine HCL 5 mg. Inactive – croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, FD&C
blue #1 aluminum lake, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene
glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, talc, titanium dioxide
Compound Information:
Compound 1 - Acetaminophen (active ingredient)
Molecular Formula: C8H9NO2
Organic because it contains carbon.
Summary: Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. It is used to treat many
conditions like headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and
fevers. Acetaminophen is contained in many combination medicines. In some rare cases,
acetaminophen might cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal.
Compound 2 – Dextromethorphan HBr (active ingredient)
Molecular Formula: C18H26BrNO
Organic because it contains carbon
Summary: Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain
that trigger cough reflex. It is used to treat a cough but it will not treat a cough that is
caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema. Overdose can cause blurred vision,
confusion, difficulty in urination, drowsiness or dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache.
Teresa Huff
5th Period
Compound 3 - Guaifenesin (active ingredient)
Molecular Formula: C10H14O4
Organic because it contains carbon
Summary: Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps
loosen congestion in the chest and throat, which
makes it easier to cough out through the mouth. It is
used to reduce chest congestion from the common
cold, infections, or allergies. Some common side effects are dizziness, headache, a rash,
nausea, vomiting, or an upset stomach.
Compound 4 - Phenylephrine HCL (active ingredient)
Molecular Formula: C9H13NO2.HCl
Organic because it contains carbon
Summary: Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal
passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion which is a stuffy nose. It is
used to treat nasal and sinus congestion, or congestion of the tubes that drain fluid from
your inner ears. Some side effects include loss of appetite, insomnia, feeling restless or
excited, and skin rash or itching.
Compound 5 - titanium dioxide (inactive ingredient)
Molecular Formula: TiO2
Organic because it contains carbon
Summary: It is used in pharmaceutical products for things
such as gelatin capsules, tablet coatings and syrups.
Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral used as a
bright white pigment for paint. In the food industry it’s
used as a coloring. In sunscreens it is used to block UVA
and UVB rays. In cosmetics and toothpaste it is used to
make the pigments opaque.
Teresa Huff
5th Period
Category: Personal hygiene and cleaning products
Product Information:
Name: Aim Cavity Protection Toothpaste Mint Gel
Description: Anticavity fluoride gel toothpaste, cleans, freshens, protects
Ingredients: Active – Sodium fluoride. Inactive – sorbitol, water, hydrated silica, PEG-8, sodium
lauryl sulfate, SD alcohol 38-B, flavor, cellulose gum, sodium saccharin, blue 1, yellow 10
Compound information:
Compound 1 - Sodium fluoride
Molecular Formula: NaF
Inorganic because it contains no carbon
Summary: Sodium fluoride exists as a white powder that easily dissolves in water.
Fluoride prevents dental decay which is why toothpaste and various other dental
hygiene products use sodium fluoride. The most common form of fluoride used in
toothpaste and fluoride mouth rinses is sodium fluoride.
Compound 2 - hydrated silica
Molecular Formula: SiO2.nH2O
Organic because it contains carbon
Summary: Hydrated silica consists of the chemical compound silicon dioxide in a form
that is bound to water molecules. A very common use for manufactured hydrated silica
is as a toothpaste ingredient which helps remove plaque and calculus. This substance is
also used in various personal care products such as skin creams, deodorants, and facial
scrubs.
Teresa Huff
5th Period
Compound 3 - water
Molecular Formula: H2O
Not organic
Summary: Water is a very important part of toothpaste, it
makes it so the toothpaste doesn't dry up. It also makes it so it
can retain moisture. Two thirds of the earth's surface covered
by water and the human body consists of 75 percent of it.
Water is one of the prime elements for life on earth.
Compound 4 – Sorbitol
Molecular Formula: C6H14O6
organic
Summary: Sorbitol is widely used in oral hygiene
formulation industries like mouthwash,
toothpaste and transparent gels because it
resists fermentation by dental plaque bacteria.
It is also used as a laxative and a sweetener. It is
used as a sugar substitute and is referred to as a
nutritive sweetener because it provides dietary
energy.
Compound 5 – Sodium lauryl sulfate
Molecular Formula: NaC12H25SO4
Organic
Summary: Sodium lauryl sulfate is a surface-active agent used in cleaning and cosmetic
products. It is also known by the term sodium dodecyl sulfate. Some things it is used in
is industrial strength degreasers, floor cleaners, bubble bath and toothpastes. It makes
the foam in the toothpaste and lifts the dirt from our teeth. Causes some people canker
sores.
Teresa Huff
5th Period
Category: Food and nutritional supplements
Product Information:
Name: Top Ramen Beef Flavor
Description: Ramen noodle soup, beef flavor
Ingredients: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate,
Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Palm Oil, Salt, Contains less than 2% of hydrolyzed Soy Protein,
Monosodium Glutamate, Corn Syrup, Soy Sauce (water, Wheat, Soybean, Salt), Maltodextrin,
Caramel Color, Sodium Carbonate, Spice, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast
Extract, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Dextrin, Baker’s Yeast Extract,
Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Dried Leek Flake, Beef Fat, Powdered Beef, Sodium
Alginate, TBHQ (preservative), Sugar, Potassium Carbonate.
Compound information:
Compound 1 - Niacin
Molecular Formula: C6H5NO2
Organic
Summary: Niacin is a B vitamin that occurs
naturally in many plants and animals and is
also added to many foods as a vitamin
supplement. Niacin is used to treat and prevent a lack of the natural niacin in the body,
and to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. It is found in nuts, eggs, dairy
products, fish and enriched breads.
Compound 2 - Riboflavin
Molecular Formula: C17H20N4O6
Organic
Summary: Riboflavin which is also called vitamin B2 is a
yellow, water-soluble organic compound that occurs a lot
in in whey and in egg white. It is an essential nutrient for
animals. It is important in the maintenance of many
tissues in the body. The lack of Riboflavin in a diet has symptoms that may include
reddening of the lips with cracks at the corners of the mouth, inflammation of the
tongue, ocular disturbances, and a greasy, scaly inflammation of the skin.
Teresa Huff
5th Period
Compound 3 - Folic Acid
Molecular Formula: C19H19N7O6
Organic
Summary: Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that is
normally found in foods like dried beans, peas,
lentils, oranges, whole-wheat products, liver,
asparagus, beets, broccoli, and spinach. Folic acid
helps the body produce and maintain new cells, and
also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to
cancer.
Compound 4 - Monosodium Glutamate
Molecular Formula: C5H8NO4Na
Organic
Summary: Monosodium is the monosodium salt of the
naturally occurring form of glutamic acid. It is used
as a flavor enhancer also known as MSG. It is one of
the most abundant amino acids. It seems to serve as
a stimulant which increases the sensitivity of taste
receptors thus "multiplying" the taste of foods.
Compound 5 - Sodium Carbonate
Molecular Formula: Na2CO3
Inorganic
Summary: Sodium Carbonate is a white powdery
compound also known as soda ash or washing
soda. It is used in the manufacture of baking soda,
sodium nitrate, glass, ceramics, detergents, and
soap. It is an odorless powder that absorbs
moisture from the air and has an alkaline taste.