What is Ammonium Carbonate?

About Ammonium Carbonate

Ammonium carbonate is a chemical compound that consists of ammonium ions and carbonate ions. It has been used historically in baking as a leavening agent due to its ability to release carbon dioxide gas when heated, which helps baked goods rise.

Ammonium carbonate is not naturally present in the body, and it is not used as a nutritional or therapeutic supplement. It is considered unsafe for consumption in large quantities because of its potential to release ammonia gas, which can be harmful when ingested. In modern baking, alternative leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda are used instead of ammonium carbonate.

While ammonium carbonate has limited use in the food industry today, it is still used in various industrial processes, such as in the production of dyes, pigments, and as a pH regulator in some chemical reactions.