Sodium nitrate

Colorless diamond crystal or white fine crystalline powder，No odor, salty taste,
slightly bitter. Soluble in water and ammonia, dissolved in ethanol, methanol,
slightly soluble in glycerol and acetone. Exposure to organic compounds, sulfur
will lead to combustion and explosion. 
Raw material of making potassium nitrate, mining explosives, picric acid, dyes.
nitrating agent of dye intermediates. Glass industry as defoamer, bleaching
agent, clarifying agent and oxidizing flux. Meat processing used as hair coloring
agent, can also be used as anti-microbial agents, preservatives.