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CAS NO:582-25-2
EC NO:209-481-3
Potassium benzoate (E212), the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is a food preservative that inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria.
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.
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.
Potassium benzoate is also used in the whistle in many fireworks.
Properties
Chemical formula C7H5KO2
Molar mass 160.213 g·mol−1
Appearance White hygroscopic solid
Odor Odorless
Density 1.5 g/cm3
Melting point >300 °C (572 °F; 573 K)
Solubility in water 69.87 g/100 mL (17.5 °C)
73.83 g/100 mL (25 °C)
79 g/100 mL (33.3 °C)
88.33 g/100 mL (50 °C)[2][1]
Solubility in other solvents Soluble in ethanol
Slightly soluble in methanol
Insoluble in ether
What is potassium benzoate, and how is it used?
Potassium benzoate is a white, odorless powder that’s obtained by combining benzoic acid and potassium salt under heat .
Benzoic acid is a compound naturally found in plants, animals, and fermented products. Originally derived from the benzoin resin of certain tree species, it’s now mostly industrially produced.
Potassium salts are typically extracted from salt beds or certain minerals.
Potassium benzoate is used as a preservative, as it prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and particularly mold. As such, it’s often added to food, beauty, and skin care products to extend their shelf life .
A few beauty and skin care items that may harbor this ingredient are shampoos, conditioners, facial cleansers, and moisturizers.
SUMMARY
Potassium benzoate is a preservative commonly found in food, beauty, and skin care products.
Potassium benzoate helps extend shelf life by preventing bacteria, yeast, and mold growth.
Potassium benzoate can be found in a variety of packaged foods, including;
Beverages: soda, flavored drinks, and certain fruit and vegetable juices
Sweets: candy, chocolate, and pastries
Condiments: processed sauces and salad dressings, plus pickles and olives
Spreads: certain margarines, jams, and jellies
Processed meats and fish: salted or dried fish and seafood, as well as certain cold cuts
A fungistatic compound that is widely used as a food preservative.
Potassium benzoate is conjugated to GLYCINE in the liver and excreted as hippuric acid.
Industry Uses
Functional fluids (closed systems)
Paint additives and coating additives not described by other categories
Use as preservative
Various uses including: Food / Beverage, U034, U017, U015, U007, U004, U002
Consumer Uses
Adhesives and sealants
Non-TSCA use
Personal care products
Industry Processing Sectors
Food, beverage, and tobacco product manufacturing
Miscellaneous manufacturing
Paint and coating manufacturing
Potassium benzoate, the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is typically used by food manufacturers as a chemical preservative.
Potassium benzoate's sometimes used in place of a related preservative -- sodium benzoate -- to reduce the food's sodium content.
Potassium benzoate helps fight food spoilage, and it can contribute to food's flavor, but like any food additive, it can cause allergic reactions in some people.
How It's Used
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, potassium benzoate is "generally recognized as safe" and approved for use as a preservative as well as a flavoring agent. Adding just a small amount can help prevent the growth of mold, yeast and certain bacteria in foods. Because the compound imparts a tang to certain foods, it can also be used as a flavoring agent.
Where It's Found
Potassium benzoate is typically added to packaged foods, so look to the more processed aspects of your diet to find it.
Potassium benzoate's used to preserve carbonated soft drinks, cider, juices, jams, syrups and pickled foods.
Potassium benzoate also occurs naturally in cranberries, so you'll also find it in cranberry juice, cranberry cocktail and cranberry sauce.
What is Potassium Benzoate?
Potassium benzoate is classified as a food preservative.
Potassium benzoate can work in one of two ways according to PubChem, a division of The National Center for Biotechnology Information. The first is as a food preservative, which means it inhibits or stops the process of fermentation, acidification, or any deterioration of a specific food.
Potassium benzoate is more specifically known as a fungistatic, which stops fungi's ability to grow or reproduce, which could potentially spoil a food.
Potassium Benzoate is manufactured primarily for food and beverage use.
Potassium Benzoate is a chemical preservative, which in very low concentrations inhibits the activity of the microorganisms.
Potassium Benzoate is used in carbonated beverages. The shelf life of un-pasteurized cider can be greatly extended by adding potassium benzoate.
Potassium Benzoate is also used as the whistle in many fireworks.
How is it made?
Potassium benzoate can be chemically synthesized by the reaction of benzoic acid (produced from the oxidation of toluene) with potassium bicarbonate, or potassium carbonate, or potassium hydroxide.
Specification
Appearance
A white or colorless crystalline powder or granular.
Other Names
Potassium salt of benzenecarboxylic acid
Potassium salt of phenylcarboxylic acid
CAS Number
532-32-1
Chemical formula
C7H5KO2
Molar Mass
160.213 g·mol−1
Melting Point
>300 °C (572 °F; 573 K)
What are the Uses of Potassium Benzoate?
Potassium Benzoate is used less than sodium benzoate in past years, but now it seems the market demand is increasing. Potassium benzoate is used as a substitute preservative for sodium benzoate primarily in acidic foods where the sodium content needed to be lower. The following food may contain with it:
soda
juice
cider
margarine
syrup
jelly
dressing
And let’s have a closer look at what soda manufacturers say about it.
Coca Cola: used as a preservative and to protect taste.
Pepsico: in the carbonated soft drinks, such as in Diet Pepsi and Sierra Mist to preserve freshness.
Potassium benzoate belongs to the class of organic compounds known as benzoic acids. These are organic Compounds containing a benzene ring which bears at least one carboxyl group.
Potassium benzoate is a weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa).
Applications
Potassium Benzoate is manufactured primarily for food and beverage use.
Potassium Benzoate is a chemical preservative, which in very low concentrations inhibits the activity of the microorganisms.
Potassium Benzoate is used in carbonated beverages. The shelf life of un-pasteurized cider can be greatly extended by adding potassium benzoate.
Potassium Benzoate is also used as the whistle in many fireworks.
Description
Potassium benzoate is the potassium salt of benzoate.
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.
Potassium Benzoate can also be used in the whistle in many fireworks. In analytic chemistry, it can be used as eluents for ion chromatography to increase the detector response.
Chemical Properties
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.
Chemical Properties
Potassium benzoate ( E212 ) , the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is a food preservative that inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria.
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.
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, it is not recommended for consumption by children.
Uses
Pharmaceutic aid (preservative).
Production Methods
Potassium benzoate is prepared from the acid–base reaction between benzoic acid and potassium hydroxide.
Pharmaceutical Applications
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; it 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, potassium benzoate is used as an alternative to sodium benzoate in applications where a low sodium content is desirable.
Therapeutically, potassium benzoate has also been used in the management of hypokalemia.
A white solid that is the potassium salt of benzoic acid.
Potassium benzoate inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria.
Uses: A food preservative in fruit juice, sparkling drinks, soft drinks, and pickles, and as the whistle sound in many fireworks.
Potassium benzoate is essentially a chemical preservative which is commonly added to soft drinks and other foods and beverages.
Potassium benzoate is used as an effective preservative since it thwarts the growth of certain bacteria, mold and yeast. In its liquefied state, it breaks up into its two distinct parts; the benzoate salt and the electrolyte potassium.
Potassium is tremendously essential for a number of biological processes; this includes the contraction of muscles associated with the heartbeat. As an essential mineral, potassium is required for the proper function of your cells, organs and tissues. In addition to calcium, magnesium and sodium, potassium serves as an electrolyte. This is due to its capacity to spread electrical pulses and signals throughout the nervous system. Apart from its significance in sustaining the right heart rhythm, potassium is required for smooth muscle contraction as well. This is essential for the function and health of the digestive system.
The chemical formula of Potassium Benzoate is C7H5KO2. In its raw form, it looks like a white crystalline powder. However, some companies will supply a liquid form for use in the food industry.
Formulation or re-packing
Potassium benzoate is used in the following products: coating products, inks and toners, pH regulators and water treatment products and polymers.
Release to the environment of Potassium benzoate can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures.
Uses at industrial sites
Potassium benzoate is used in the following products: pharmaceuticals, polymers, oil and gas exploration or production products, coating products, explosives and inks and toners.
Potassium benzoate is used in the following areas: mining, printing and recorded media reproduction and building & construction work.
Potassium benzoate is used for the manufacture of: chemicals and pulp, paper and paper products.
Release to the environment of Potassium benzoate can occur from industrial use: as processing aid, as processing aid, in the production of articles and in processing aids at industrial sites.
Manufacture
Release to the environment of Potassium benzoate can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance.
White, odorless or nearly odorless, granules or crystalline powder, soluble in water.
Potassium benzoate is an alternative to Potassium benzoate and is used as a food preservative, by preventing the growth of bacteria, yeast and fungi.
Potassium benzoate can be used in soft drinks, salad dressing, sauces, alcohol beverages and other condiments and snacks.
Potassium Benzoate is a white crystal or granular and is soluble in water.
Can be used as an alternative to Potassium benzoate.
Potassium benzoate is used as a preservative to prevent food from molding.
Potassium benzoate helps keep our products shelf-stable for at least two years from the date of purchase and is used in concentrations of less than 0.5% by volume.
While Potassium benzoate is considered safe, scientists have shown that negative side effects occur when it's mixed with ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Uses of Potassium benzoate
Food. In the food industry, Potassium benzoate is used to prevent spoilage from harmful bacteria, yeasts, and molds.
Potassium benzoate also helps maintain freshness in food by helping to slow or prevent changes in color, flavor, PH, and texture.
Other foods that commonly include Potassium benzoate include:
Salad dressings
Pickles
Sauces
Condiments
Fruit juices
Wines
Snack foods
Drink.
Potassium benzoate is used as a preservative in soft drinks to increase the acidity flavor and as a preservative to extend the shelf life.
Coca-Cola.
Potassium benzoate, potassium benzoate, and potassium sorbate are the three common preservatives in Coca-Cola’s drink.
Potassium benzoate is used to protect the taste and it's used as an antimicrobial agent. Additionally, we can commonly find sodium benzoate in the ingredient lists of Fanta and Sprite.
PepsiCo.
Potassium benzoate is also used to preserve freshness in Pepsi carbonated soft drinks. However, it’s used less in PepsiCo’s popular sodas, Diet Pepsi and Pepsi, which use potassium benzoate as the main preservative.
Cosmetics. Like food and drink products, cosmetics also need preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria. Preservative-free, natural products cannot be stored for a long time.
Personal care products.
Potassium benzoate can be used as an anti-corrosive and preservative in a large variety of personal care products such as:
Mouthwash
Hair products
Sunscreen
Moisturizers
Serums
Baby wipes
Toothpaste. To inhibit the growth of microorganisms in toothpaste, producers usually add a certain amount of preservatives. When considering the antimicrobial effect, safety, and price, Potassium benzoate is often the better choice compared with other commonly used preservatives in toothpaste.
Pharmaceuticals.
Potassium benzoate can also be used in pharmaceutical products for its antimicrobial properties, such as in the formulation of tablets, capsules, and cough syrup.
Potassium benzoate is a white, odorless powder that’s obtained by combining benzoic acid and potassium salt under heat
Potassium benzoate is used as a preservative, as it prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and particularly mold.
Potassium benzoate is a preservative commonly found in food, beauty, and skin care products.
Potassium benzoate helps extend shelf life by preventing bacteria, yeast, and mold growth.
Potassium Benzoate E212 can be used in Food, Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Health & Personal care products, Agriculture/Animal Feed/Poultry.
Potassium Benzoate E212 is used a food preservative to inhibit mold, yeast, and bacterial growth in fruit juices, carbonated drinks, pickles, and various other foods and beverages.
Potassium benzoate E212 can be used to replace sodium benzoate E211 in applications where the preserving power of benzoic acid E210 is required, but where a low sodium content is desired.
Potassium Benzoate is often used in low-sugar jams, marmalades, jellies and alcohol-free beer.
Potassium benzoate E212 uses as follows:
Potassium Benzoate
In Food Production
Potassium Benzoate E212 can be used as acidic food preservative in food such as in low-sugar jams, marmalades, jellies, fruit juices, carbonated drinks, pickles
In Beverage
Potassium Benzoate E212 can be used as preservative in beverage such as in soft drinks, diet coke, sodas, condensed juice and other acidic drink to inhibit microbial.
In Pharmaceutical
NA.
In Health and Personal care
Potassium Benzoate E212 used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products, such as in baby products, bath products, soaps and detergents, eye makeup, blushers, cleansing products, make up products, as well as hair, nail and skin care products.
In Agriculture/Animal Feed/Poultry
Potassium Benzoate E212 can be used as preservative in Agriculture/Animal Feed/Poultry feed.
In Other Industries
Potassium Benzoate E212 is widely used as additive in various other industries.
Potassium benzoate is the inactive salt of benzoic acid.
Potassium benzoate is soluble in water where it converts to benzoic acid, its active form, at a low pH. Benzoic acid is very pH dependent. While it shows some activity up to pH 6 (about 1.55%), it is most active at pH 3 (94%).
As benzoic acid, it is considered to be primarily an anti-fungal, but it shows some activity against bacteria.
Potassium benzoate is poor against pseudomonads.
Benzoic acid is inactivated by non-ionics and by raising the pH.
Potassium benzoate is not a broad spectrum preservative for cosmetic use and should be combined with other preservatives. If Potassium benzoate is used as a preservative, the pH of the finished product may need to be lowered enough to release the free acid for useful activity.
Potassium benzoate is often combined with Potassium Sorbate in low pH products to provide a synergistic preservative effect against yeast and mold.
Potassium Benzoate Uses:
Preservative,
Cosmetics,
Feed,
Pharmaceutical,
Antimicrobial,
Antifungal,
Antibacterial,
Margarine,
Soft Drink,
Alcohol Beverage,
Beverage Powder,
Ice Cream,
Candy,
Chewing Gum,
Icings,
Fruit Juice,
Puddings,
Sauces,
Baking Food,
Sauage,
Food Colors,
Milk, Wine,
Flavoring Agent,
Dyestuff,
Toothpaste,
Coating,
Rubber.
Potassium Benzoate Specification:
Item Specification
Appearance white granule or crystalline odorless powder
Purity (on dry base) ≥99.0%
Moisture ≤1.5%
Acidity and Alkalinity ≤0.2 ml
Water solution test clear
Solution colour Y6
Chlorides ≤300 mg/Kg
Heavy metals (As Pb) ≤10 mg/Kg
Arsenic ≤2 mg/Kg
IUPAC NAMES:
Benzoic acid, potassium salt (1:1)
Potassium benzoate
potassium benzoate
potassium benzoate
potassium;benzoate
SYNONYMS:
POTASSIUM BENZOATE
benzoic acid potassium
PotassiumBenzoateC7H5KO2
Benzoicacidpotassiumsaltanhydrous
Kaliumbenzoat,wasserfrei
BENZOIC ACID POTASSIUM SALT
POTASSIUM BENZOATE REAGENT
POTASSIUMBENZOATE,CRYSTAL,REAGENT
POTASSIUMBENZOATE,FCC
POTASSIUMBENZOATE,NF
Kaliumbenzoat
Piatassium benzoate
Potassium Benzoate, Anhydrous
Potassium Benzoate (1 g)
PotassiuM benzoate, >=99.0% (NT)
POTASSIUM BENZOATE, REAGENTPOTASSIUM BENZOATE, REAGENTPOTASSIUM BENZOATE, REAGENTPOTASSIUM BENZOATE, REAGENT
Potassium benzoate Joyce
Potassium benzoate Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 98%
Benzoic acid, potassium salt (1:1)
