Isinglass

The isinglass (English Isinglass ) is the dried swim bladder of Hausen ( also known as the Beluga, a sturgeon ), which is native to the rivers of the Caspian and the Black Sea and the main function of extracting caviar. Today, the Hausen ( like the other species of sturgeon ) is a protected species. In the U.S. and other countries consists import ban. Isinglass is therefore hardly to be found. Thus swim bladders of other fish, some from South America, also offered under this name. The swim bladder is excluded from the catch of the fish, marinated in hot water, free from veins and the muscles surrounding them and then dried. Isinglass is made up of 70% collagen.

Use

• Isinglass dissolves only in acids ( eg, tartaric acid) and is mainly used for fining ( clarifying ) of wine and beer. By adding a little isinglass (about 1 gram per hectolitre ) flakes sediment particles in the liquid from (collagen react with tannins to form insoluble compounds, which carried away the other suspended solids ) and was faster on the ground or from can then filter out easier. The taste of the wine is not affected. The method is now replaced by more sophisticated filtration process. The isinglass is still used today for the production of wine by Jewish dietary laws.

Certain exceptions to the food labeling requirement expired on 25 November 2007. Potential allergens must be identified as mandatory indication since then. According to statements by allergists, there is no clear risk assessment on this point. In contrast to albumin or lysozyme in wine making isinglass or fish gelatin as fining agents are, however, free wine or beer for an unlimited period of declaration obligation.

• Isinglass was used in the 19th century for the manufacture of medical plasters ( hemostasis ), as food ( jelly) and to treat fabrics and papers ( finish ).
• The Hausenblasenleim is also used as " gelatin " certain exotic printing processes as well as in the light pressure, as these cures in conjunction with chromates exposure to light.

Isinglass

Isinglass is also used for making isinglass glue that under the term isinglass ( Colla piscium see also Syndetikon ) is known to have used. The production of the glue from the dried isinglass is expensive. In addition, the high price is for the commodity, so that Hausenblasenleim is only used for specific applications in restoration work and in instrument (such as violin restoration ). Its special features are a particularly strong adhesion with high elasticity in the cured state and lower viscosity than comparable glues of animal products such as hide glues or bone glues.