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E212 Potassium benzoate is the potassium salt of benzoate.
E212 Potassium benzoate is mostly used for food preservation for inhibiting the growth of mold, yeast and bacteria since it can create low pH condition after entering into the cells to suppress the anaerobic fermentation of glucose.
E212 Potassium benzoate can also be used in the whistle in many fireworks.
CAS: 582-25-2
MF: C7H5KO2
MW: 160.21
EINECS: 209-481-3
Synonyms
POTASSIUM BENZOATE;benzoic acid potassium;PotassiumBenzoateC7H5KO2;Benzoicacidpotassiumsaltanhydrous;Kaliumbenzoat,wasserfrei;BENZOIC ACID POTASSIUM SALT;POTASSIUM BENZOATE REAGENT;POTASSIUMBENZOATE,CRYSTAL,REAGENT
In analytic chemistry, E212 Potassium benzoate can be used as eluents for ion chromatography to increase the detector response.
E212 Potassium benzoate, the potassium salt of benzoic acid with the formula C6H5COOK, is a food preservative that inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria.
E212 Potassium benzoate works best in low-pH products, below 4.5, where it exists as benzoic acid.
Acidic foods and beverages such as fruit juice (citric acid), sparkling drinks (carbonic acid), soft drinks (phosphoric acid), and pickles (vinegar) may be preserved with potassium benzoate.
E212 Potassium benzoate is approved for use in most countries including Canada, the United States and the European Union, where E212 Potassium benzoate is designated by the E number E212.
E212 Potassium benzoate is also used in whistle compositions in pyrotechnics.
Compared to the other carboxylic acid salts, sodium salicylate and sodium benzoate often used for this purpose, E212 Potassium benzoate has the advantage of not being hygroscopic.
E212 Potassium benzoate is the potassium salt of benzoic acid.
E212 Potassium benzoate is primarily used as a synthetic food preservative to inhibit the growth of mold, yeast, and some bacteria in acidic products.
E212 Potassium benzoate is highly soluble in water and is frequently found in items like fruit juices, sparkling and diet sodas, sauces, and pickled goods.
E212 Potassium benzoate works most effectively in products with a pH level below 4.5.
E212 Potassium benzoate, the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is used as a preservative to prevent food spoilage by inhibiting the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria.
But E212 Potassium benzoate is used less than the common benzoate preservative – sodium benzoate.
The European food additive number for it is E212.
Generally, E212 Potassium benzoate is safe, synthetic, vegan, halal, kosher and gluten-free.
E212 Potassium benzoate is a white, odorless, crystalline powder or a clear aqueous solution known for its excellent preservative and antimicrobial properties.
As the potassium salt of benzoic acid, E212 Potassium benzoate serves primarily as a food-grade preservative and is often used in beverages, sauces, and low-sugar products to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold.
E212 Potassium benzoate Chemical Properties
Melting point: >300°C
Boiling point: 450℃[at 101 325 Pa]
density: 1.558 g/cm3
vapor pressure:0Pa at 25℃
storage temp.: Inert atmosphere,Room Temperature
solubility: Soluble in ethanol, slightly soluble in methanol, insoluble in ether.
form: Solid
color: White to off-white
PH: pH(50g/l, 25℃) : 7.0～9.0
Water Solubility: 492g/L at 20℃
Hydrolytic Sensitivity 0: forms stable aqueous solutions
Sensitive: Hygroscopic
Merck: 14,1091
BRN: 3719165
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: PRESERVATIVE
InChI: 1S/C7H6O2.K/c8-7(9)6-4-2-1-3-5-6;/h1-5H,(H,8,9);/q;+1/p-1
InChIKey: XAEFZNCEHLXOMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M
LogP: -2.3 at 20℃
CAS DataBase Reference: 582-25-2(CAS DataBase Reference)
EPA Substance Registry System: E212 Potassium benzoate (582-25-2)
E212 Potassium benzoate, the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is a food preservative that inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria.
E212 Potassium benzoate works best in low-pH products, below 4.5, where it exists as benzoic acid.
Acidic foods and beverages such as fruit juice (citric acid), sparkling drinks (carbonic acid), soft drinks (phosphoric acid), and pickles (vinegar) may be preserved with potassium benzoate.
E212 Potassium benzoate is approved for use in most countries including Canada, the U.S., and the EU, where it is designated by the E number E212.
In the EU, E212 Potassium benzoate is not recommended for consumption by children.
E212 Potassium benzoate occurs as a slightly hygroscopic, white, odorless or nearly odorless crystalline powder or granules.
Aqueous solutions are slightly alkaline and have a sweetish astringent taste.
Uses
E212 Potassium benzoate is manufactured primarily for food and beverage use.
E212 Potassium benzoate is a chemical preservative, which in very low concentrations inhibits the activity of the microorganisms.
E212 Potassium benzoate is used in carbonated beverages.
The shelf life of un-pasteurized cider can be greatly extended by adding potassium benzoate.
E212 Potassium benzoate is also used as the whistle in many fireworks.
Pharmaceutical Applications
E212 Potassium benzoate is predominantly used as an antimicrobial preservative in a wide range of beverages, foods and some pharmaceutical formulations.
Preservative efficacy increases with decreasing pH; E212 Potassium benzoate is most effective at pH 4.5 or below.
However, at low pH undissociated benzoic acid may produce a slight though discernible taste in food products.
Increasingly, E212 Potassium benzoate is used as an alternative to sodium benzoate in applications where a low sodium content is desirable.
Therapeutically, E212 Potassium benzoate has also been used in the management of hypokalemia.
Production Methods
E212 Potassium benzoate is prepared from the acid–base reaction between benzoic acid and potassium hydroxide.
Synthesis
One very common way to make E212 Potassium benzoate is by oxidizing toluene.
Another way to synthesize E212 Potassium benzoate in the lab setting is by reacting methyl benzoate with potassium thio acetate.
Synthesis
One very common way to make E212 Potassium benzoate is by oxidizing toluene to benzoic acid followed by a neutralization with potassium hydroxide:
C6H5COOH + KOH → C6H5COOK + H2O
Another way to synthesize E212 Potassium benzoate in the lab setting is by hydrolyzing methyl benzoate with potassium hydroxide:
C6H5COOCH3 + KOH → C6H5COOK + CH3OH
Reactions
E212 Potassium benzoate, like sodium benzoate, can be decarboxylated with a strong base and heat:
C6H5COOK + KOH → C6H6 + K2CO3
