Category: Industry

Over 90% of manganese production is used in steelmaking, highlighting its overwhelming industrial importance. Yet, simultaneously, it serves a completely different, but equally vital, purpose as an essential trace mineral for human biological functions.

Zinc is the fourth most widely consumed metal globally, after iron, aluminum, and copper, underscoring its immense importance across various sectors. From industrial applications like galvanizing steel to its vital role in human nutrition, understanding where can zinc be used reveals a metal that is far more than just a simple element.

Food enzymes, used for centuries in traditional practices like fermentation for bread and cheese, represent just one small but critical application of modern biochemistry in the food industry. Today, the scope of biochemistry in the food industry extends far beyond ancient techniques, revolutionizing how food is produced, processed, and consumed by applying molecular knowledge to improve quality, safety, and nutritional value.

Natrium is the Latin name for the chemical element sodium, symbolized as Na. This soft, silvery-white alkali metal and its compounds have been a cornerstone of human industry and biology for centuries, playing crucial roles in everything from nerve function to the production of glass.

Palm oil is found in close to 50% of the packaged products in our supermarkets, a testament to its incredible versatility. This vegetable oil is not only a food staple but also a critical component in many non-food industries. Understanding the most common uses of palm oil provides insight into its broad impact on global markets and daily consumer habits.

Found naturally in coconut and palm kernel oils, octanoic acid, commonly called caprylic acid, is a medium-chain fatty acid with powerful antimicrobial and antifungal properties. This versatile compound's applications range from its use as a dietary supplement to its role as a preservative in cosmetics and food products.

Over 5,000 halogenated natural products have been isolated from marine organisms alone, illustrating the sheer abundance and versatility of halides. This broad class of compounds, formed when a halogen element combines with another element, is good for a wide array of critical applications across modern science, technology, and industry.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Earth's crust is composed of about 5% iron, but the question of what produces the most iron requires a look beyond our planet's geology. The answer involves both explosive cosmic events and massive industrial efforts on Earth.

According to the International Manganese Institute, approximately 90% of all manganese produced is used in the steelmaking industry. This critical element's applications extend far beyond metallurgy, answering the question: what is the manganese used for in a variety of modern technologies and biological processes?

With millions of people worldwide still at risk of iodine deficiency, this trace mineral is critical for human health. But what are three things iodine is used for beyond just dietary supplementation, and how do its versatile applications extend across medicine and manufacturing?