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DESCRIPTION
Sorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound that is primarily used as a preservative in the food industry.
Its chemical formula is C6H8O2, and it is commonly found in berries, such as rowanberries (mountain ash).
Sorbic acid is a weak acid and is highly effective in preventing the growth of mold, yeast, and some bacteria, which helps extend the shelf life of various food products like cheeses, baked goods, and beverages.
Cas Number
110-44-1
Synonyms
2,4-Hexadienoic acid,(E)-Hex-2,4-dienoic acid, 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, trans-trans-,Sorbate acid
Introduction
Overview of Sorbic Acid: Sorbic acid (C6H8O2) is a naturally occurring compound, commonly used as a preservative.
It's found in certain fruits, such as rowanberries, and is primarily recognized for its antimicrobial properties.
First discovered in the 1850s, sorbic acid has since become one of the most widely used food preservatives globally.
Importance of Sorbic Acid in Industry: Sorbic acid is indispensable in food preservation, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
Its ability to inhibit mold, yeast, and certain bacteria makes it ideal for extending shelf life and maintaining the safety of various products.
Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity has earned it a reputation as a reliable preservative.
Chemical Structure and Properties
Molecular Structure: Sorbic acid is a carboxylic acid with a conjugated diene structure.
It has two double bonds, making it unsaturated and reactive.
The molecular formula is C6H8O2, and it has the IUPAC name (E,E)-2,4-hexadienoic acid.
This structure is key to its antimicrobial activity, as it can easily interact with microorganisms.
Physical Properties: Sorbic acid is a white to slightly yellow crystalline solid at room temperature, with a melting point of 133°C.
It is slightly soluble in water but readily dissolves in organic solvents like ethanol and acetone.
The acid’s solubility properties make it versatile for various formulations.
Chemical Properties: Sorbic acid is a relatively stable compound under normal conditions but is sensitive to light and heat.
Its structure allows it to undergo certain chemical reactions, such as esterification, which makes it possible to create sorbate salts (like potassium sorbate), commonly used in food products.
Production and Synthesis
Natural Sources of Sorbic Acid: Sorbic acid is naturally found in a variety of berries, especially the rowanberry (Sorbus aucuparia), from which the name "sorbic" is derived.
These fruits contain sorbic acid as part of their natural defense against microbial growth.
Industrial Synthesis: While sorbic acid can be extracted from these natural sources, its industrial production is usually carried out through synthetic processes.
The most common method is the condensation of heptanal and acetic acid, which yields sorbic acid after a catalytic reaction.
This method is cost-effective and allows for large-scale production, making sorbic acid widely available.
Applications of Sorbic Acid
Food Preservation: Sorbic acid is primarily known for its use as a preservative in food products.
It inhibits the growth of mold, yeast, and some bacteria, thus preventing spoilage.
It is used in a wide range of products, including cheese, baked goods, fruit juices, and sauces.
Sorbic acid's effectiveness against spoilage microorganisms helps extend the shelf life of perishable items.
Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: Sorbic acid and its salts (such as potassium sorbate) are commonly used in the cosmetic industry for their preservative properties.
They prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms in creams, lotions, and other personal care products.
In the pharmaceutical industry, sorbic acid is used in some medications, especially in oral solutions and topicals, where microbial contamination could be a risk.
Agriculture: Sorbic acid is used in agriculture as a pesticide and fungicide.
It has proven effective in controlling the growth of fungi in agricultural products such as grains, fruits, and vegetables, reducing spoilage and maintaining crop quality during storage and transport.
Mechanism of Action
Antimicrobial Activity: Sorbic acid works by disrupting the integrity of microbial cell membranes, inhibiting enzyme activity, and preventing the synthesis of essential cellular components.
This makes it highly effective against microorganisms, particularly molds and yeasts.
Its ability to penetrate the microbial cell and alter pH within the cell is a significant factor in its efficacy as a preservative.
Effect on Microorganisms: Sorbic acid is most effective in acidic environments, which is why it is frequently used in acidic foods and beverages.
It does not completely eliminate bacteria but rather controls the growth of certain strains by halting their metabolic processes.
The diene structure in sorbic acid is key to its mode of action, making it an effective inhibitor of a wide variety of microorganisms.
Summary of Findings: Sorbic acid is a widely used preservative with proven effectiveness in food, cosmetics, and agricultural applications. Its ability to inhibit microbial growth and its low toxicity profile make it an essential component in many industries.
Future Directions: As consumer demand for natural and organic products increases, there is a growing interest in the development of more sustainable and natural preservatives.
Future research may focus on the use of sorbic acid in combination with other natural compounds, exploring its safety in the long term, and investigating its potential in new industrial sectors.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT SORBIC ACID
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.
