Potassium Nitrate

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Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound that is mainly used in fertilizers, rocket propellants and fireworks; it is also one of the constituents of gunpowder, one of the ancient Chinese inventions.

As a Fertilizer

As a fertilizer, it provides two major nutrients, nitrogen and potassium, for plants.

As an Efficient Oxidizer

As an efficient oxidizer, which produces a lilac-colored flame upon burning due to the presence of potassium, it is used in amateur rocket propellants and in some fireworks such as smoke bombs.

These facts may make you surprised by its other uses in products that we consume.

Used in Food and Some Commodities

In the food industry, it's one of the components that are used in preventing bacterial infection. It is also the reason why the cured salami and corned beef have their characteristic pink hue. It also ensures the pre-rolled cigarettes burn evenly.

This is why homemade cigarettes may not work as well.

How about us who don't smoke? Well, we encounter it everyday if we have a basic hygiene habit like brushing our teeth, especially when you use toothpaste that is for sensitive teeth. The toothpaste contains Potassium nitrate.

Other Uses:

In combating high blood pressure.
As the main component (about 98%) of tree stump remover by accelerating the natural decomposition process.
In the heat treatment of metals as a solvent in the post-wash.
As a treatment agent for the paper used to make the cartridges.