Quick Search
DESCRIPTION:
Potassium sorbate is a chemical additive.
Potassium sorbate is widely used as a preservative in foods, drinks, and personal care products.
Potassium sorbate is an odorless and tasteless salt synthetically produced from sorbic acid and potassium hydroxide.
CAS Number 24634-61-5
European Community (EC) Number: 246-376-1
Molecular Formula C6H7O2K
SYNONYMS
Potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate,,E202,Sorbistat-K,Sorbistat potassium,Acid, Hexadienoic,Acid, Propenylacrylic,Acid, Sorbic.Hexadienoic Acid.Potassium Sorbate.Propenylacrylic Acid.Sodium Sorbate.Sorbate, Potassium.Sorbate, Sodium Acid,POTASSIUM SORBATE,24634-61-5,Sorbistat potassium,Sorbistat-K,Potassium (E,E)-sorbate,Sorbic acid potassium salt,590-00-1,potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate,Potassium 2,4-hexadienoate,Sorbic acid, potassium salt,BB Powder,Sorbistat-potassium,FEMA No. 2921,k,Potassium sorbate (E),Caswell No. 701C,Potassium (E,E)-2,4-hexadienoate,Potassium (E,E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate,CCRIS 1894,HSDB 1230,Ins no.202,Potassium (e,e')-sorbate,UNII-1VPU26JZZ4,EINECS 246-376-1,Ins-202,1VPU26JZZ4,2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt,potassium hexa-2,4-dienoate,Potassium sorbate (e 202),EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 075902,Potassium 2,4-hexadienoate, (E,E)-,potassium;(2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate,2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt, (2E,4E)-,CHEBI:77868,AI3-26043,E 202,Potassium sorbate [NF],MFCD00016546,2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt, (E,E)-,Sorbic acid, potassium salt, (E,E)-,potassium trans,trans-sorbate,DTXSID7027835,E-202,2,4-Hexadienoic acid potassium salt, (E,E)-,2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)-, potassium salt,EC 246-376-1potassium trans,trans-2,4-hexadienoate,Potassium sorbate (NF),POTASSIUM SORBATE (II),POTASSIUM SORBATE [II],2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt (1:1), (2E,4E)-,2,4-HEXADIENOIC ACID, (E,E')-, POTASSIUM SALT,2,4-Hexadienoic acid potassium salt,POTASSIUM SORBATE (MART.),POTASSIUM SORBATE [MART.],POTASSIUM SORBATE (USP-RS),POTASSIUM SORBATE [USP-RS],Potassium Sorbate [USAN],POTASSIUM SORBATE (EP IMPURITY),POTASSIUM SORBATE [EP IMPURITY],POTASSIUM SORBATE (EP MONOGRAPH),POTASSIUM SORBATE [EP MONOGRAPH],Sorbic acid (potassium),trans-trans-Sorbic acid potassium,Sorbate, Potassium2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt (1:1),Potassium (E,E')-sorbate;,Potassium sorbate,SCHEMBL3640,DTXCID207835,POTASSIUM SORBATE [FCC],CHEMBL2106930,POTASSIUM SORBATE [FHFI],HY-N0626A,POTASSIUM SORBATE [VANDF],POTASSIUM SORBATE [WHO-DD],Tox21_202757,AKOS015915488,2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E')-, potassium salt; 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt,SORBIC ACID POTASSIUM SALT [MI],NCGC00260304-01,CAS-24634-61-5,CS-0102519,NS00094865,P1954,S0057,D02411,G73516,Q410744,J-015607,J-524028
Potassium sorbate (E 202) is made up of the potassium salt from sorbic acid and is used in cosmetics as well as in the food industry as a preservative.
Potassium sorbate is considered safe because it is metabolized in the human body into water and CO2.
Potassium sorbate protects cosmetic products from yeasts and moulds and is very friendly to the skin.
Potassium sorbate is a potassium salt having sorbate as the counterion.
Potassium sorbate has a role as an antimicrobial food preservative.
Potassium sorbate contains an (E,E)-sorbate.
Mold and yeast inhibitor. Used as a fungistatic agent for foods, especially cheeses.
Potassium sorbate prolongs the shelf life of foods by stopping the growth of mold, yeast, and fungi.
Potassium sorbate was discovered in the 1850s by the French, who derived it from berries of the mountain ash tree.
Its safety and uses as a preservative have been researched for the last fifty years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes it as generally safe when used appropriately.
Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, chemical formula CH3CH=CH−CH=CH−CO2K.
Potassium sorbate is a white salt that is very soluble in water (58.2% at 20 °C).
Potassium sorbate is primarily used as a food preservative (E number 202).[4]
Potassium sorbate is effective in a variety of applications including food, wine, and personal-care products.
While sorbic acid occurs naturally in rowan and hippophae berries, virtually all of the world's supply of sorbic acid, from which potassium sorbate is derived, is manufactured synthetically.
Production
Potassium sorbate is produced industrially by neutralizing sorbic acid with potassium hydroxide.
The precursor sorbic acid is produced in a two-step process via the condensation of crotonaldehyde and ketene.[5][6][7]
Uses
Potassium sorbate is used to inhibit molds and yeasts in many foods, such as cheese, wine, yogurt, dried meats, apple cider, dried fruits, soft drinks and fruit drinks, and baked goods.[8]
It can also be found in the ingredients list of many dried fruit products.
In addition, herbal dietary supplement products generally contain potassium sorbate, which acts to prevent mold and microbes and to increase shelf life.
Potassium sorbate is used in quantities at which no adverse health effects are known, over short periods of time.[9]
Labeling of this preservative on ingredient statements reads as "potassium sorbate" or "E202".
Also, it is used in many personal-care products to inhibit the development of microorganisms for shelf stability.
Some manufacturers are using this preservative as a replacement for parabens.
Tube feeding of potassium sorbate reduces the gastric burden of pathogenic bacteria.[10]
Also known as "wine stabilizer", potassium sorbate produces sorbic acid when added to wine.
Potassium sorbate serves two purposes.
When active fermentation has ceased and the wine is racked for the final time after clearing, potassium sorbate renders any surviving yeast incapable of multiplying.
Yeast living at that moment can continue fermenting any residual sugar into CO2 and alcohol, but when they die, no new yeast will be present to cause future fermentation.
When a wine is sweetened before bottling, potassium sorbate is used to prevent refermentation when used in conjunction with potassium metabisulfite.
It is primarily used with sweet wines, sparkling wines, and some hard ciders, but may be added to table wines, which exhibit difficulty in maintaining clarity after fining.
Some molds (notably some Trichoderma and Penicillium strains) and yeasts are able to detoxify sorbates by decarboxylation, producing piperylene (1,3-pentadiene).
The pentadiene manifests as a typical odor of kerosene or petroleum
WHAT IS POTASSIUM SORBATE FOUND IN?
You’ll find potassium sorbate on the list of ingredients for many common foods.
It’s a popular preservative because it’s effective and doesn’t change the qualities of a product, such as taste, smell, or appearance.
It’s also water-soluble, and it works at room temperature.
You may find it added to many food products, such as:
apple cider
baked goods
canned fruits and vegetables
cheeses
dried meats
dried fruit
ice cream
pickles
soft drinks and juices
wine
yogurt
Potassium sorbate is used as an antimicrobial and preservative in personal care items, as well, such as:
eyeshadow and other cosmetics
shampoos and moisturizers
contact lens solution
Potassium sorbate is also approved for safe use as a preservative in moist cat and dog foods and in other animal feed.
PROPERTIES
Chemical formula C6H7KO2
Molar mass 150.218 g•mol−1
Appearance White crystals
Odor Yes
Density 1.363 g/cm3
Melting point 270 °C (518 °F; 543 K) decomposes
Solubility in water 58.5 g/100 mL (100 °C)
Solubility in other solvents
Soluble in ethanol, propylene glycol
Slightly soluble in acetone
Very slightly soluble in chloroform, corn oil, ether
Insoluble in benzene
Molecular Weight
150.22 g/mol
Computed by PubChem 2.2 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count
0
Computed by Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count
2
Computed by Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Rotatable Bond Count
2
Computed by Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Exact Mass
150.00831095 g/mol
Computed by PubChem 2.2 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Monoisotopic Mass
150.00831095 g/mol
Computed by PubChem 2.2 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Topological Polar Surface Area
40.1Ų
Computed by Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Heavy Atom Count
9
Computed by PubChem
Formal Charge
0
Computed by PubChem
Complexity
127
Computed by Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (PubChem release 2021.10.14)
Isotope Atom Count
0
Computed by PubChem
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count
0
Computed by PubChem
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count
0
Computed by PubChem
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count
2
Computed by PubChem
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count
0
Computed by PubChem
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count
2
Computed by PubChem
Compound Is Canonicalized
Yes
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT POTASSIUM SORBATE:
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
