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Boric Acid Salt: Effects, Uses and Safety

Boric acid salts are chemical compounds derived from boric acid, used in medicine, pharmacy, and industry. They have antimicrobial properties and are applied in wound care, eye rinsing, and antifungal treatments.

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Things worth knowing about "Boric acid salt"

Boric acid salts are chemical compounds derived from boric acid, used in medicine, pharmacy, and industry. They have antimicrobial properties and are applied in wound care, eye rinsing, and antifungal treatments.

What Are Boric Acid Salts?

Boric acid salts, commonly referred to as borates, are inorganic compounds formed by the reaction of boric acid (H₃BO₃) with bases. The most well-known borate is sodium tetraborate, also called borax (Na₂B₄O₇). These compounds occur naturally in soil, mineral water, and certain foods. In medicine and pharmacy, they are valued for their antimicrobial and buffering properties.

Chemical Properties

Boric acid salts are based on the element boron, a metalloid that does not occur in pure form in nature. In aqueous solution, borates release borate ions that can interact with biological molecules such as sugars and proteins. Common examples include:

Sodium borate (Borax): Sodium tetraborate decahydrate, widely used in cleaning and preservative products
Potassium borate: Used as a buffering agent in laboratory settings
Ammonium borate: Applied in technical and industrial uses
Zinc borate: Used as a flame retardant in industrial applications

Medical Applications

Boric acid salts have a long history in medicine. Their main areas of application include:

Antimicrobial Activity

Borates inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. Borax and boric acid solutions were historically used for wound disinfection and mucosal treatment. In modern medicine, their use has decreased as more effective antiseptics have become available.

Eye and Mucous Membrane Care

Diluted borax solutions were traditionally used as eye rinses. They have a mildly alkaline pH and can soothe irritated eyes. Today, they have largely been replaced by modern, better-tolerated eye drops in many countries.

Vaginal Infections

In gynecology, boric acid vaginal suppositories are used in some countries to treat recurrent vaginal yeast infections (particularly caused by Candida glabrata) and bacterial vaginosis when standard therapies fail. This is done exclusively under medical supervision.

Dermatological Use

As a mild antiseptic compound, borate salts were used to treat skin infections, minor burns, and eczema. These applications have largely been replaced by modern preparations.

Mechanism of Action

Boric acid salts exert their antimicrobial effects through several mechanisms:

Inhibition of enzymes essential for the metabolism of microorganisms
Disruption of cell wall synthesis in fungi and bacteria
Interaction with ribose and other sugars, impairing RNA function in microorganisms
Increased osmotic pressure that damages microbial cells

Occurrence in Food and as an Additive

Boric acid and its salts (e.g., E284 boric acid, E285 sodium tetraborate) are approved as food additives in the European Union but only for a very limited number of specific products such as certain types of caviar. In most food products, boron compounds are prohibited, as they can be toxic at higher doses.

Safety, Toxicity, and Risks

Boric acid salts are considered relatively safe when applied topically in low concentrations. However, excessive absorption through the skin, ingestion, or inhalation can lead to toxic effects:

Acute poisoning: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, seizures
Chronic exposure: Kidney damage, liver damage, effects on the nervous system
Reproductive toxicity: Animal studies indicate negative effects on fertility and development; borax is classified as reproductively toxic (Category 1B) in the EU
Children and infants are particularly sensitive to borate compounds

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has classified borax (sodium tetraborate) as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC). Its use in consumer products is strictly limited in the EU.

Industrial and Technical Uses

Beyond medical applications, boric acid salts are used in various industries:

Glass production: Borosilicate glass (e.g., laboratory glassware, cookware) contains boron compounds to improve heat resistance
Ceramics and enamel: Improved adhesion and thermal stability
Detergents: Sodium perborate as a bleaching agent in laundry detergents
Flame retardants: Zinc borate used in plastics and wood products
Cosmetics: Small amounts as a pH buffer and preservative (strictly regulated in the EU)

References

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): Substance Information - Disodium tetraborate. echa.europa.eu, accessed 2024.
World Health Organization (WHO): Boron in Drinking-water. Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. WHO/SDE/WSH/03.04/54, Geneva 2003.
Iavazzo C, Gkegkes ID, Zarkada IM, Falagas ME: Boric Acid for Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: The Clinical Evidence. Journal of Women's Health, 2011;20(8):1245-1255.

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