Potassium sorbate is a chemical additive with the chemical formula C6H7KO2. This substance is widely used in foods, beverages and personal care products. Potassium sorbate is actually a tasteless and odorless salt. Production of potassium sorbate is done synthetically and from the reaction of sorbic acid with potassium hydroxide. Its appearance is in the form of white spherical, powdered or extruded crystals.

What is potassium sorbate?

Potassium sorbate is a chemical additive with the chemical formula C6H7KO2. This substance is widely used in foods, beverages and personal care products. Potassium sorbate is actually a tasteless and odorless salt. Production of potassium sorbate is done synthetically and from the reaction of sorbic acid with potassium hydroxide. Its appearance is in the form of white spherical, powdered or extruded crystals.

Extraordinary properties of potassium sorbate

Potassium sorbate is a substance with a molar mass of 150.22 g/mol, which has high solubility in water. This product, when dissolved in water with a concentration of 10%, creates a solution with a pH of 8.5-10.5.

By preventing the growth of all kinds of molds, yeasts and fungi, potassium sorbate increases the shelf life of food and is sometimes known as potassium sorbate preservative. In fact, sorbic acid and potassium sorbate destroy microorganisms and prevent or delay their growth and reproduction.

The most important applications of potassium sorbate

This substance was discovered by the French in the 1850s. This substance was originally discovered naturally in a type of mountain mulberry tree. Its safety and uses as a preservative have been researched for the past fifty years. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared the use of this substance safe (when used properly). Most of the uses of this substance are in the food and cosmetic industries. We will discuss them in more detail below.

• Application of potassium sorbate in food industry

Potassium sorbate is listed as an ingredient in many common foods. This is because potassium sorbate is known as a preservative; Because it can create the best effect without changing the quality of the product such as taste, smell and appearance. As an example, potassium sorbate is included in the list of components used in many food products such as: apple juice, vegetables and canned foods, cheeses and yogurt, meats and dried fruits, drinks and extracts. Found. It is noteworthy that potassium sorbate is also used as a preservative in the preparation of food for cats, dogs and other animals.

• Application of potassium sorbate in cosmetics

This widely used substance is used in cosmetics, shampoos, moisturizers, and contact lens solution as an antibacterial and preservative in personal items. Also, potassium sorbate protects cosmetics from spoilage, and potassium sorbate is also widely used in medicine.

The issue that arises is how long does potassium sorbate increase the shelf life? Considering the use of this substance as a preservative, a definite answer can be given to this question. However, this time period is not fixed in all materials, but it has been said that the maximum time that potassium sorbate increases the shelf life is 12 months. The shelf life depends on the amount of use of this substance.

Side effects of potassium sorbate

The first question that comes to mind is, is potassium sorbate safe to eat? The answer that can be given to this question is that regulatory organizations such as the US Food and Drug Administration, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and European food safety authorities have introduced potassium sorbate as a completely safe and harmless substance. are In fact, when this substance is eaten as an additive in food, it passes through your system safely like water and carbon dioxide and does not accumulate in your body.

In 2015, after extensive research on this substance and two other food additives, they concluded that it is permissible to consume 3 mg of potassium sorbate per kilogram of body weight per day.

Is there any risk in consuming potassium sorbate?

Some people are allergic to potassium sorbate in food. Of course, this allergy is rare. These allergies to potassium sorbate in cosmetics are more common. So that it can cause burning, dryness or skin irritation in different areas. So if you use potassium sorbate as a pure substance, for example in winemaking, it can irritate your eyes and skin if you spill it.

Despite the purity requirements for manufacturers, it is possible for potassium deposits as a food additive to be contaminated with substances such as lead, arsenic and mercury.