Chemical Formula: ZnSO4
Grades: Norkem offers zinc sulphate monohydrate as an animal feed grade (FEMAS/GMP+ approved), technical grade and granular fertiliser.
Packaging: Material is available in 25 kilo and 1000 kilo nett bags. Other types of packaging available upon request.
Availability: Normally a stock item.
Material: Zinc sulphate monohydrate is a colourless/white crystalline compound, one of three possible hydrates of zinc sulphate. The other two hydrates are zinc sulphate hexahydrate and zinc sulphate heptahydrate. It is odourless but soluble in both water and alcohol but insoluble in acetone.
The compound is created through the reaction of sulphuric acid and zinc oxide. As part of the purification process, lead, iron, manganese and cadmium are all removed. To achieve the final result, the solution is concentrated and dried out.
Uses of Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate
One of its most common uses is as a dietary supplement to correct zinc deficiency. Zinc is vital for healthy tissue growth in both humans and animals and it also has an impact on the immune system, wound healing process and cell functions. A lack of the mineral can result in growth retardation, problems in pregnancy and appetite loss. Since zinc deficiency affects the entire body, the symptoms are wide-ranging and affect people in a variety of different ways.
Zinc sulphate monohydrate is also used as an acne treatment due to its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. For similar reasons, it can be found in toiletries and bathing products.
To prevent zinc deficiency in plants and livestock, zinc sulphate monohydrate is frequently used in animal feed and drink. Its high-water solubility also means that it is regularly used as a fertiliser. A zinc deficiency in plants typically results in discolouration of the leaves in which the veins remain green as everything else turns to yellow. Zinc sulphate monohydrate fertiliser is applied directly to the crop itself but can be easily mixed with other fertilisers. It is available in a number of different grades, including agricultural, food and industrial grade.
Zinc sulphate monohydrate is also used to excellent effect to eradicate and control unwanted moss, whether it be on the ground or roof. The zinc within the compound binds itself to proteins and organic acids within the plants, negatively impacting on their growth and so killing off the moss.
Brewers of wheat beer also like to utilise zinc sulphate as a nutrient for their yeast. It boosts the growth of the yeast and increases the speed of fermentation through enzyme reactions.