A salt compound that easily dissolves in water and binds to proteins making those compounds it binds with easier to remove from water, is ammonium sulfate. When it is used in the form of ammonium lauryl sulfate, water surface tension is decreased allowing water to spread at an easier pace, easing the actual separation of contaminants from water and makes the water harder.

Ammonium sulfate applications and uses are enhanced by the low cost of ammonium lauryl sulfate and ease of use as an ingredient found in a variety of products. Some products with ammonium sulfate include:

1. fertilizers that specifically contain ammonium sulfate products for use on both crops and lawns;

2. an additive that is used in both biotechnical applications and pharmaceutical products;

3. using it as water treatment and /or cleaning additive.

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Use fertilizers rich in ammonium sulfate for a greater yield in your agricultural products

If your business is associated with agriculture, using ammonium sulfate products, found in fertilizer, makes soil which is alkaline convert to a more acidic based soil that will increase your crops overall yield.

I recommend: There are many ammonium sulfate distributors, as well as ammonium sulfate suppliers that can supply the right product for specific agricultural needs. An excellent source for buying ammonium sulfate to be used in an agricultural setting is Honeywell. A detailed product listing for ammonium sulfate uses and applications can be found on their website. Brainerd Chemical is another source for products and knowledge for the uses of ammonium sulfate.

Utilize ammonium sulfate as a preparation for vaccines and purifying water for pharmaceuticals

Ammonium sulfate can be used for pharmaceutical reasons in regards to the purification of water and vaccine preparations. Using this helps to 'salt out' excess proteins or contaminants. If your business works within the pharmaceutical segment of the market, it is important that you know where to buy ammonium sulfate products and where to locate distributors and manufacturers that have a good business history of conducting business with biotech organizations to assure that the product is high quality.

I recommend: Both Noah Tech and Alfa Aesar supply ammonium sulfate for use in the biotechnology arena. They both also have an extensive history of supplying many different types of life sciences groups and organizations with chemicals such as ammonium sulfate to be used in pharmaceutical settings as well.

Educate your customers about products that contain ammonium sulfate and their uses

Let customers know about ammonium lauryl sulfate's water softening property as well as its ability to separate many different contaminants. Products include those found in detergents, cleaning products, toothpaste, shampoo and dental cleansers.

I recommend: For a complete list of products that contain ammonium sulfate, the Household Products Database is one of the best resources. There is detailed information about each product and its uses. Another source of excellent information and products that contain ammonium sulfate and that have undergone clinical and scientific trials/studies to support any claims made about the benefits and uses of each product is the Diana Yvonne website, which contains a wealth of knowledge about products containing ammonium sulfate and its uses.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ammonium sulfate causes irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract and can be extremely harmful if swallowed. If this should occur, immediately call local poison control for direction on intervention types.

Ammonium sulfate is a salt that dissolves very easily in water. It binds readily to other compounds in water, particularly proteins, making whatever compound it binds to easier to remove from water. As ammonium lauryl sulfate, it lowers the surface tension of water, making water spread more easily. These two factors in combination make it even easier to separate contaminants from water, as well as making hard water softer.

Its low cost, ease of use, and unique "soften up and separate out" properties have made ammonium sulfate a popular ingredient in a variety of products. Break products with ammonium sulfate into three categories including:

1. Making it an effective fertilizer for lawns or crops;

2. Adding it to biotech applications in the pharmaceutical industry;

3. Using it in consumables and cleaning products.

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Grow your agribusiness with ammonium sulfate products

Ammonium sulfate is used primarily in fertilizer. It's highly effective in making alkaline soils more acidic from the sulfuric acid. It also adds nitrogen to the soil.

I recommend: Hukill Chemical can bulk transport any amount of ammonium sulfate you need, plus help with custom blending and lab services. Brainerd Chemical maintains its own 1000-foot rail spur, enabling it to deliver chemicals to any size manufacturing needs.

Find an ammonium sulfate distributor familiar with the biotech industry

Obtain ammonium sulfate for pharmaceutical purposes, such as vaccine preparation or purifying water, when you need to 'salt out' excess proteins or contaminants. Use ammonium sulfate distributors that have a track industry with the life sciences to ensure the necessary higher-grade product.

I recommend: Founded in 1928, GFS Chemicals supplies biorefined ammonium sulfate for biotech lab use. MP Biomedicals manufactures and sells more than 55,000 life science, fine chemical and diagnostic products.

Open up your business to consumer products containing ammonium sulfate

Exploit ammonium lauryl sulfate's ability to soften water and separate contaminants and add it in as a foaming agent, or a detergent to cleaning products such as shampoo, skin cleansers, toothpaste or laundry soap.

I recommend: AquaPhoenix Scientific supplies chemicals, test kits and private labeling kits to food processors, laboratories, water treatment facilities and metal finishers. Bruchem supplies ammonium lauryl sulfate to the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food service and beverage industries.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take advantage of any laboratory services your ammonium sulfate supplier may offer to dial in the precise grade of ammonium sulfate you need to be most effective in processing your own products.

Ammonium sulfate is a versatile compound that you can use for fertilizer or in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Ammonium sulfate pricing and costs depend on the product. Prices could vary from a few dollars for liquefying adjuvants to hundreds of dollars for bulk fertilizer.

Because ammonium sulfate fertilizers are by-products of manufacturing processes such as steel production, the cost is less voluble than the cost for fertilizers that rely on natural gas or petroleum for formulation. Ammonium sulfate products offer the advantage of relative safety over other compounds when shipping and handling. Shipping of ammonium sulfate products figures into the costs for large bulk items such as fertilizer, but it will have less effect on smaller lots.

Manufacturers sell fertilizer and other such products by the ton, which cost more to ship, whereas ammonium lauryl sulfate is available in one-gallon jugs. When contemplating other ammonium sulfate pricing and costs, consider the following things:

1. Buy directly from ammonium sulfate manufacturers with discounts for bulk purchases.

2. Check out the shelf life of ammonium sulfate products before storing bulk purchases bought at lower prices.

3. Find the closest ammonium sulfate manufacturer or supplier to reduce shipping costs.

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Compare what it costs to buy ammonium sulfate with the cost of other fertilizers

If you are in the market for bulk fertilizer, you will want to look at what products with ammonium sulfate cost compared to other ways of delivering nitrogen to your crop. Your state university may have done this research for you.

I recommend: The University of Florida compares the costs of different fertilizers as it applies to citrus crops. The cost of ammonium sulfate for 2009 is estimated at from $150 to $175 per ton, compared to $250 to $300 per ton for ammonium nitrate or $350 to $360 per ton for urea. Simplot refers you to dealers all over the Midwest and West, from Kansas to California. You will have to contact a dealer for a price quote.

Shop for best prices for other products containing ammonium sulfate

You can find an ammonium sulfate supplier to order chemicals for laboratory use or to use in pharmaceutical compounding. You can also find an ammonium sulfate distributor that supplies wetting agents, surfactants, and foaming agents. These companies usually quote products in metric, gallon, or pound units.

I recommend: Chemistrystore.com quotes prices for ammonium lauryl sulfate 28% solution from $12 for one gallon to less than $10 per gallon for a 55-gallon drum. FormuMax Scientific supplies liposomes containing ammonium sulfate for drug compounding. Prices range from $200 for one 20-milliliter unit to $100 per unit for buying 10 units.

Look for the best deal on shipping costs for ammonium sulfate products

Shipping can be a hidden cost of buying online. Ammonium sulfate distributors selling bulk fertilizer used in agriculture will ask you to select a dealer from their network and then provide you with contact information so that you can contact the dealer for an accurate cost. It is possible to buy ammonium sulfate in 20-pound bags for garden or lawn use without paying shipping costs. Other ammonium sulfate suppliers provide shipping information when you order their product.

I recommend: If you order online, Doitbest.com offers free shipping to the nearest store. It offers 20-pound bags of ammonium sulfate fertilizer for gardens, lawns, and trees, but restrictions apply. B & H Foto & Electronics calculates that a one-pound package of ferric ammonium sulfate for photographic use will cost $5 to $6 shipped by UPS.

Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic salt that has many commercial uses. One of its main uses, though, is that of an artificial fertilizer for alkaline soils. Ammonium sulfate is made up of 21% nitrogen as ammonium cations, and 24% sulfur as sulfate anions, and it is used to reduce soil pH. When applied to the soil, ammonium sulfate's sulfate ion is released and forms bisulfate, which lowers the pH balance in the soil. This in turn helps contribute towards essential nitrogen for plant growth.

Being familiar with terminology and definitions surrounding ammonium sulfate can help you whether you are the maker of the compound, the distributor or the user of the product. All involved should be aware not only of its uses but its safety precautions as well. Familiarizing yourself with the words involved will help you communicate better with your customers and business associates, and it will also help you become more efficient with your transactions. Those working with chemicals should also know definitions of the chemicals and the related terms before handling the products .

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Inorganic salt

Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic salt, which means that it is a salt made from inorganic component ions such as chloride. Salts are made of cations and anions and the overall composition is electrically neutral.

I recommend: Learn more about the inorganic salt properties of ammonium sulfate from Chemicalland21.com.

Fertilizer

Fertilizers are chemical compounds used to promote plant growth. They can either be applied to the ground or for uptake through the leaves.

I recommend: Find out more about ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer from Rural King.

Alkaline soils

Alkaline soils are clay soils that have a high pH (generally greater than a pH of 9). They also have a poor soil structure as well as a low infiltration capacity.

I recommend: Learn more about alkaline soils from the National Home Gardening Club.

Cations

Cations happen when there are more protons than electrons in a molecule, thus giving it a positive charge.

I recommend: Take simple look at cations from Clackamas Community College.

Anions

Anions happen when there are more electrons than protons in a molecule, thus giving it a negative charge.

I recommend: Find out more about anions from Launceston College.

pH

pH means the acidity or basicity of a compound. Items are measured on a pH scale that has been established by international agreement.

I recommend: Find out the relationship of pH to plants from PlanTea.