photography: Matthew shave
what’s inside>
Tixylix Dry
Cough linctus
the tickle
blaster
It’s formulated to soothe children’s dry,
tickly coughs – with ingredients
also found in fireworks and explosives
Citric acid
(2-hydroxypropane-
1,2,3-tricarboxylic
acid)
Giving the medicine
a fruity tang, this
is produced by the
action of the fungus
Aspergillus niger on
sugar. It is added to
laundry detergents
to counteract hard
water and is used in
the manufacture of
a highly explosive
compound called
HMTD – so bulk sales
are closely monitored.
Sodium benzoate
Found in fruits such
as cranberries and
plums, under acid
conditions this
compound is an
effective antibacterial
and antifungal agent.
It is also an ideal
preservative for
carbonated drinks,
although it has
been suspected of
causing hyperactivity
in children. Sodium
benzoate is
commonly blended
with potassium
perchlorate for use in
fireworks: a whistling
sound results when
the mixture is ignited.
Pholcodine
(morpholinylethyl
morphine)
The active ingredient,
this is manufactured
from morphine by
adding a morpholine
group to the molecule.
This suppresses both
Potassium
acesulfame
(potassium 6-methyl-
2,2-dioxo-oxathiazine-
4-one 2,2-dioxide)
An artificial
sweetening agent,
which is soluble
in glycerol and
unaffected by acids
and heat – ideal for
products with a long
shelf life.
Maltitol
This sweetens the
linctus but does not
cause tooth decay.
It also has laxative
properties – opiates
such as pholcodine
are constipating.
morphine’s painkilling
and euphoric effects
and targets the
coughing reflex. It
is controlled in the
US because it could
be habit-forming.
Hydroxyethyl
cellulose
Manufactured by
reacting cellulose
with ethylene oxide,
it has hundreds of
uses, including an
important role as
a thickening agent
in many foods. In
addition, it is used
to strengthen wall
boarding, thicken
latex paints and
make paper glossy.
It can also be found
in suppositories, and
acts as a laxative.
Who said
opiates and
fireworks
don’t mix?
Ingredients
Pholcodine
Citric acid
Glycerol
Potassium acesulfame
Maltitol
Hydroxyethyl cellulose
Sodium benzoate
Glycerol
(propane-1,2,3-triol)
This dissolves the
pholcodine, which
is not very soluble
in water. A byproduct
of biodiesel
manufacture, there
is a huge amount
available in the
world, which is why
the UK government’s
“Glycerol Challenge”
is trying to find other
uses for it. It has
a sweet taste but,
although it has about
the same calorie
content as sugar,
it does not cause
dental cavities.
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