What is the difference between organic. What is a substance? What are the classes of substances?

If the word “products” refers to food, then it seems that ideally they should be organic. But on modern level life is not so simple. Synthetic products have become so firmly entrenched in our lives that the following concepts have emerged: organic products, eco- and bioproducts, organic food. Let's figure out together what it is.

How are organic products grown?

We present to your attention a number of requirements that must be met at the initial stage of agricultural work to obtain eco-products:

1. Growing crops must be done in ecologically clean areas. This means that the fields where these agricultural products are grown must be located away from highways, large industrial enterprises, landfills and other objects that pollute the environment.
2. Land for growing plants that can later be certified as organic products must not be treated with synthetic fertilizers or other agrochemical methods for at least 3 years.
3. For sowing, it is necessary to use clean seeds that have not been subjected to genetically modified processing.

At first glance, it seems that all of the above 3 points are easily achievable. But this is far from true. Many modern agricultural lands are tightly encircled by large industrial centers. And to grow organic food products, it is necessary to develop new acreage, remote from objects that pollute the environment.

Clean seed material has also become sufficient big problem. It is very difficult to determine the degree of purity of seeds without laboratory analysis. This is almost impossible to do. Nevertheless, it seems that humanity has woken up and finally wondered what we eat? And the fact that the concept of organic products appeared means that these thoughts have moved us from the dead point of thoughtless consumption of everything that unscrupulous producers offer us.

What processed products can be classified as bioproducts?

Of course, it’s great to eat vegetables straight from your own garden bed, without subjecting them to any or only minimal heat treatment. This is good, but not available to everyone. Society is largely urbanized, and many do not have their own garden.

Is there organic food in supermarkets? And in general, eco-products – what are they? If we talk about processed food, then organic products are those that contain at least 95% of ingredients produced in an organically certified way. Let us list the main features of eco-products:

1. Do not contain synthetic dyes, flavors, thickeners, or flavor enhancers.
2. Produced without the use of harmful technologies (gassing, chemical preservation, atomic fission, radiation exposure, etc.)
3. Almost all of the ingredients that make up the processed product are organic and responsibly grown.

Who certifies eco-products?

In the world there is the International Federation of Ecological Agricultural Movement (IFOAM), created in 1972. It includes 760 organizations from 100 countries. There are basic IFOAM standards, developed over the years, according to which food products are or are not assigned organic status. There are also a number of principles that guide IFOAM in its activities:

1. The principle of health - the entire ecosystem of the earth must be healthy, including humans, as its integral component.
2. The principle of justice is a fair and careful attitude towards the land, nature, animals and people.
3. The principle of care is that the production of agricultural products should not deplete the soil; one should think about subsequent generations and leave them a legacy of fertile and well-groomed soil, and not a desert.
4. The principle of environmental friendliness - organic Agriculture works taking into account natural cycles, without disturbing or introducing dissonance into nature, but, on the contrary, preserving and improving the environment.

Based on these principles and standards, enterprises and organizations engaged in the production of environmentally friendly food and applying for a distinctive mark for organic products are awarded such a mark after checking the production conditions. This is very honorable and beneficial for anyone trademark become the owner of the ORGANIC FARMING mark if the product is produced in EU countries, or the USDA ORGANIC mark if it is produced in the USA. However, eco-food produced in EU countries may also bear the national mark of the country of origin. Japan has also introduced standards for the production of organic agricultural products and also assigns its mark to the worthy.

Pricing policy of enterprises producing eco-products

In the EU countries and the USA, the price of bioproducts is higher than the prices of regular products by 40-60%. This is due to a number of objective reasons:

1. Processing fields without herbicides and pesticides requires additional labor, which affects the price of the eco-product.
2. Without chemical treatment the ripening period increases and the storage period decreases, which also requires a lot of costs and effort to preserve and timely delivery of the organic product to the distribution network.
3. The process of certification of fields, seeds, and products is not only complex and lengthy, but also quite expensive, which also affects the final price of organic products.

To the credit of the governments of the EU and US countries, it should be noted that they, understanding the importance and prospects of organic farming, allocate government subsidies to support farmers and buyers. Otherwise, the price of organic food would be even higher. Unfortunately, in the post-Soviet space there are not only no government subsidies for the development of organic farming, but even no standards defining environmental cleanliness one or another product.

So organic food is delivered from countries where there is less cultivated area, but there is a desire to grow organically. pure product more. Taking into account the costs of delivery and customs, these products are no longer 40-60% more expensive, but 300-500%.

On the territory of the post-Soviet countries, labeling food products “bio”, “eco”, “natur” does not carry any semantic meaning, but can only be considered as a marketing ploy. Therefore, it is quite difficult to find real eco-products from a domestic manufacturer.

True, there is another wonderful source of organic products. These are agricultural products grown in gardens at summer cottages and rural plots for one’s own use, which means without toxic chemicals. The surplus of such products is exported to markets and is worthy of our attention and nutrition. And even if these products do not please the eye with their fake beauty, their price is affordable, and the benefits from them are greater than from vegetables with a metallic taste brought from abroad.

Of course, you have seen in supermarkets milk cartons with a beautiful green “ECO” sticker or eggs in the hay with the inscription “100% organic”. Perhaps they even bought it. And more than once we wondered how such products differ from non-organic ones.

A study conducted by Stanford University researchers showed that in terms of their effect on human health, organic and inorganic products from the supermarket are practically no different from each other.

The main difference is the growing method

While many people believe that organically grown foods are more nutritious and contain more vitamins and minerals, this is not entirely true. The main difference between so-called “organic” and “non-organic” foods is the way they are grown.

Organic food is ordinary food grown in the old-fashioned way without the use of synthetic pesticides, growth regulators and any other chemicals.

Non-organic foods can sometimes be even more nutritious than organic foods.

It seems that if you eat a banana with an “ECO” sticker on it, you will immediately feel thousands of nutrients flowing through your body. But a regular banana won't give you as much benefit. But when it comes to nutritional value, non-organic foods sometimes even outperform organic ones. After all, extra beta-carotene is often added to regular rice, milk is fortified with vitamin D, and fruit juices are fortified with calcium. Adding anything to organic products is strictly prohibited.

Organic milk has more iron, phosphorus and vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids

But, firstly, this is a difference of several percent, and secondly, our body usually does not suffer from a deficiency of these substances.

Organic milk and meat also contain approximately 50% more omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial to humans. The tone of blood vessels, blood pressure, immunity and metabolism of the human body depend on them.

But even twice more Omega-3 fatty acids in milk are still too low to meet human needs. Therefore, even organic milk is significantly inferior in this regard to seafood or flax seeds.

Organic products contain fewer pesticides and microorganisms, but they are

Organic foods purchased at a significantly higher price than non-organic foods are 30% less likely to contain pesticides than non-organic foods. But they are still there. Just like GMOs. After all, the remnants of these “bad” substances can be in the seed, get on the fruit or vegetable with rain, or in some other way.

The amount of pathogenic microflora in “organic” can be the same as in “inorganic”. Although we must also take into account the integrity of Ukrainian “organic entrepreneurs” - after all, their grandfathers did not sterilize manure for fertilizer. That is, catch E. coli from you more chances specifically from organic products.

There are no objective reasons to choose only organic products yet. Organic loses at a high price, and sometimes even nutritional value. But most organic adherents claim that such products have a special taste and smell.

At this stage of evolution, not a single person can imagine his life without chemistry. After all, every day around the world there are different chemical reactions, without which the existence of all living things is simply impossible. In general, there are two sections in chemistry: inorganic and organic chemistry. To understand their main differences, you first need to understand what these sections are.

Inorganic chemistry

It is known that this area of ​​chemistry studies all physical and chemical properties of inorganic substances, as well as their compounds, taking into account their composition, structure, as well as their ability to various reactions with the use of reagents and in their absence.

They can be both simple and complex. With the help of inorganic substances, new technical technologies are created important materials which are in demand among the population. To be precise, this section of chemistry deals with the study of those elements and compounds that are not created by living nature and are not biological material, but it turns out by synthesis from other substances.

In the course of some experiments, it turned out that living beings are capable of producing a lot of inorganic substances, and it is also possible to synthesize organic substances in the laboratory. But, despite this, it is still simply necessary to separate these two areas from each other, since there are some differences in the reaction mechanisms, structure and properties of substances in these areas that do not allow everything to be combined into one section.

Highlight simple and complex organic matter . TO simple substances There are two groups of compounds: metals and non-metals. Metals are elements that have all metallic properties, and also exists metal connection between them. This group includes the following types of elements: alkali metals, alkaline earth, transition, light, semimetals, lanthanides, actinides, as well as magnesium and beryllium. Of all the officially recognized elements periodic table Ninety-six out of one hundred and eighty-one possible elements are classified as metals, that is, more than half.

The best-known elements from the nonmetallic groups are oxygen, silicon, and hydrogen, while those that are less common are arsenic, selenium, and iodine. TO simple non-metals the same applies to helium and hydrogen.

Complex inorganic substances are divided into four groups:

• Oxides.
• Hydroxides.
• Salt.
• Acids.

Organic chemistry

This area of ​​chemistry studies substances that consist of carbon and other elements that come into contact with it, that is, they create so-called organic compounds. These may be substances and inorganic nature, since a hydrocarbon can attach many different chemical elements to itself.

Most often, organic chemistry deals with synthesis and processing of substances and their compounds from raw materials of plant, animal or microbiological origin, although, especially in Lately, this science has grown far beyond the designated framework.

To main classes organic compounds include: hydrocarbons, alcohols, phenols, halogen-containing compounds, simple and esters, aldehydes, ketones, quinones, nitrogen-containing and sulfur-containing compounds, carboxylic acids, heterocyclic, organometallic compounds and polymers.

Substances studied organic chemistry, are extremely diverse, since due to the presence of hydrocarbons in their composition, they can bind with many other various elements. Of course, organic substances are also part of living organisms in the form of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, which perform various vital functions. important functions. The most important ones are energy, regulatory, structural, protective and others. They are part of every cell, every tissue and organ of any living creature. Without them, the normal functioning of the body as a whole is impossible, nervous system, reproductive and others. This means that all organic substances play a huge role in the existence of all life on earth.

Main differences between them

In principle, these two sections are related, but they also have some differences. First of all, the composition of organic substances necessarily includes carbon, in contrast to inorganic ones, which may not contain it. There are also differences in structure, in the ability to react to various reagents and created conditions, in structure, in basic physical and chemical properties, in origin, in molecular weight and so on.

In organic matter molecular structure much more difficult than inorganic ones. The latter can melt only at sufficiently high temperatures and are extremely difficult to decompose, unlike organic ones, which have relatively no high temperature melting. Organic substances have a fairly bulky molecular weight.

More important difference is that only organic substances have the ability form compounds with the same set of molecules and atoms, but which have different layout options. Thus, it turns out completely different substances, differing from each other in physical and chemical properties. That is, organic substances are prone to such a property as isomerism.

In order to get a good harvest, it is necessary not only to water and weed the plants in a timely manner, but also to apply fertilizers. They are different types, therefore, many owners of suburban areas are interested in what fertilizers should be applied and when. Let's tell you what the difference is organic fertilizers from mineral.

Wastes of plant and animal origin are classified as organic fertilizers. They are available to every gardener, but can only be added to the soil in a rotted form. Organic matter contains all the necessary elements for a good harvest: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. The following compositions are most popular among gardeners:

1. Cow manure is one of the richest sources of nitrogen. He has long term actions (up to 7 years). It can be applied only once every 4 years and in small portions. If manure is applied frequently, the soil will be oversaturated with nitrogen, which will lead to the formation of nitrates in vegetables. You only need to apply rotted manure, otherwise you can transfer pests and weed seeds into the soil. The application of raw manure leads to increased plant growth, but the inability to form a good harvest.
2. Bird droppings are a source of all the essential substances necessary for plants. It contains bacteriophages that disinfect the soil. This fertilizer should only be applied in a mixture with peat or turf, since the droppings contain a lot of uric acid. Another way to use bird droppings is to prepare infusions that need to be kept for about 10 days.

1. Peat is not often used as nutrient. It releases nitrogen rather sparingly and is usually used to improve soil properties. Another area of ​​application of peat is mixing with other organic fertilizers and making compost. If you want to apply it as a fertilizer yourself, then you need to bury the peat on the bayonet of a shovel. To prevent the soil from becoming sour, use dolomite flour and ash.
2. Many gardeners make their own compost, into which they put a variety of organic waste. Rotted compost can replace humus in its properties. It contains a large number of nutrients, especially nitrogen. If you use compost, do not immediately sow plants that can accumulate nitrates after adding it. These include beets, lettuce and radishes. It is recommended to use potassium and magnesium salts together with compost.
3. Ash contains all the necessary substances except nitrogen. It is worth feeding the soil with nitrogenous salts separately, since when used simultaneously with ash they will release ammonia. Ash should not be used to feed seedlings. Remember that every plant needs to be fed organic compounds in my time. If you apply them at the wrong time, there is a risk of not getting the best harvest.

Important! If you do not know how to apply fertilizer correctly, then it is best to add it to the soil before digging - in the fall or spring.

Advantages and disadvantages of organic fertilizers

The main advantage of organic fertilizers is their low price. You can make compost yourself, which will not only saturate the soil with useful elements, but also improve the soil structure. It would seem that organic fertilizers consist of only advantages, but they have several disadvantages that need to be taken into account when using:

• during preparation and spreading over the soil, organic matter emits an unpleasant and pungent odor;
• if you add too much fertilizer, the plants will become saturated with nitrates;
• if the fertilizing is prepared incorrectly, the soil can be infected with nematodes, helminths or fungi;
• Preparation and distribution of organic fertilizers over the site requires time and effort.

Important! One of the most simple ways To obtain organic fertilizer is to prepare compost.

To do this, it is enough to mix cleaning, sawdust, pulled out weeds and other waste in a special pit. After three years, fertilizer can be applied to the soil.

What are mineral salts?

Mineral fertilizers can be found in almost every gardening store. They are sold in the form of small granules, solutions or powders. On the one hand, the use of ready-made forms makes it easier to work with fertilizers, but on the other hand, it is important to follow all points of the instructions so as not to exceed the dosage.

Mineral salts are made industrially. They represent chemical compounds, almost ready for use - just mix them with water or water them well after adding them to the soil.

They can be divided into groups:

1. Nitrogen fertilizing is necessary for enhanced plant growth. Depending on the compound used, they can contain from 20 to 46% nitrogen. Gardeners use: urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate or water. The most nitrogen is contained in urea, also called urea. However, it must be used carefully, as it acidifies the soil.
2. Phosphorus fertilizers are used much less frequently than nitrogen fertilizers. They are needed when plant leaves begin to turn purple shade or scarlet spots. Double superphosphate is most often used for feeding, since it contains more useful substances.
3. Boron fertilizers are needed almost as often as nitrogen fertilizers. If you notice distorted cucumbers, black marks on carrots or rotting beets, then there is not enough boron in the soil. For square meter Only 3 grams of boric acid is enough for the beds. This amount will solve all problems.
4. Potassium fertilizers are necessary when marginal burns appear on the plants - the edges of the leaves turn white, and in cucumbers they completely curl. In order to get rid of the deficiency of this substance, it is necessary to add potassium sulfate to the root. Additionally, you can water and spray with a solution of potassium chloride.

Important! Select mineral fertilizers based on the needs of the plants. Only in this case will you get a good harvest and not overdose on fertilizing.

Advantages and disadvantages of mineral supplements

Mineral and organic fertilizers are applied to achieve one goal - obtaining a good harvest. Use ready-made chemical mixtures More comfortable. They are suitable for quickly getting rid of a deficiency of any microelement, while organic matter has a prolonged effect and can nourish plants throughout the season.

One of the main advantages mineral supplements is to accelerate ripening and ensure high yields. In addition, on each package of mineral fertilizers there is information detailed instructions, which will allow even beginners to use this supplement correctly.

Disadvantages mineral salts can be called:

• short-term effect (they need to be added to the soil every year);

• high cost (when compared with compost, which is given to gardeners for free);
• the harvest is not of the best quality;
• The structure of the soil does not change from the application of such fertilizers.

Important! If your site does not have the best soil for growing plants, then you should mix it with organic fertilizers. Apply mineral supplements as needed when plants show signs of one type of starvation.

Combined fertilizers

There is another type of fertilizer - combined. They combine all the advantages of mineral salts and organic matter. There are no disadvantages to such fertilizers. The most popular among these additives are: Nitrophoska and Nitroammofoska. They contain organic components and salt, but the concentration of the latter is extremely low, so plants harmful substances they do not accumulate in themselves.

Organomineral mixtures have complex composition and can be produced in the form of a dry mixture, solution or granules. They practically do not change the acidity of the soil, so they can be used on different soils. The only thing that combined fertilizers cannot do is make the soil looser. If you have clay soil on your site, then you should use compost mixtures, peat and sand.

Combined mixtures have different compositions. The most common are nitrogen-phosphorus mixtures and options with the addition of a third component - potassium. You should choose what kind of fertilizing you will apply to your plot based on the type of plant being grown and its needs. For example, for tomatoes, options with the addition of potassium are suitable, and for onions, a nitrogen-phosphorus composition is sufficient.