Potassium sorbate, the potassium salt of sorbic acid, with the molecular formula C6H7O2K, is a white to light yellow granules or fine powder, odourless or slightly odorous, long exposure to air is easy to absorb moisture, oxidation decomposition and discolouration. Soluble in water, soluble in propylene glycol and ethanol.
Potassium sorbate has the same preservative mechanism as sorbic acid, i.e. it combines with the sulfhydryl groups of microbial enzyme systems and thus destroys the action of many enzyme systems. Potassium sorbate effectively inhibits the activity of moulds, aerobic bacteria and yeasts, and prevents the multiplication of micro-organisms such as Staphylococcus, Clostridium and Salmonella, but it is ineffective against anaerobic Bacillus and Lactobacillus acidophilus, inhibiting development more than sterilising it, thus prolonging the shelf life of the food while maintaining its original flavour.
Potassium sorbate has been recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as a safe and efficient food preservative and is widely used in carbonated beverages, fruit juices, wine, candy, confectionery products, aquatic products and meat products. In addition, potassium sorbate is also used as a preservative in cosmetics and skin care products.
Potassium Sorbate Product Data
Package:
The product packing : 25kg/carton or 25kg/bag, Which can meet the different package requirement of customers.
Index of technology
| ITEMS | STANDARDs |
| Appearance | White to off-white granular |
| Melting range | 133-135℃ |
| Assay | 99.0% – 101.0% |
| Loss on drying(105℃,3h) | 1% Max |
| Heat Stability | No change in colour after heating for 90 minutes at 105℃ |
| Acidity (as C6H8O2) | 1% Max |
| Alkalinity (as K2CO3) | 1% Max |
| Chloride (as Cl) | 0.018% Max |
| Aldehydes (as formaldehyde) | 0.1% Max |
| Sulfate (as SO4) | 0.038% Max |
| Lead (Pb) | 5 mg/kg Max |
| Arsenic (As) | 3 mg/kg Max |
| Mercury (Hg) | 1 mg/kg Max |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | 10 mg/kg Max |
| Ph -value (5% water solution) | 8.5-10.5 |
| Zinc | 0.1ppm |
| Cadmium | 0.02ppm |
| Test for potassium | Passes test |
| Test for double bonds | Passes test |
Potassium Sorbate vs Sodium Benzoate
The antiseptic effect of potassium sorbate is 5-10 times that of sodium benzoate, but its toxicity is only 1/40 of that of sodium benzoate. So it is recognized as a low-toxic, safe and efficient food preservative. Moreover, potassium sorbate is still effective at higher pH ranges, for example, pH 6.5, while sodium benzoate almost lost its antimicrobial activity which are effective to only below pH 4.5.
Anti Corrosion Principle
Anti corrosion principle: the combination of sorbic acid and thiol in microbial mould system can destroy many important enzymes of microorganisms, thus achieving the function of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. In addition, it can disturb the transfer skills, such as the transfer of cytochrome c to oxygen, and the energy transfer on the surface of cell membrane, thus inhibiting the proliferation of microorganisms and achieving the purpose of antisepsis.
