Potassium Sorbate

Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, chemical formula CH₃CH=CH-CH=CH-CO₂K. It is a white salt that is very soluble in water. It is primarily used as a food preservative (E number 202). Potassium sorbate is used to inhibit molds and yeasts in many foods, such as cheese, wine, yogurt, dried meats, apple cider, soft drinks and fruit drinks, and baked goods.

Potassium Sorbate USP Grade Specifications
C6H7KO2 -- 150.22
2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)-, potassium salt; 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt.
Potassium (E,E)-sorbate; Potassium sorbate [CAS 590-00-1, 24634-61-5].

Potassium Sorbate contains not less than 98.0 percent and not more than 101.0 percent of C6H7KO2, calculated on the dried basis.

Identification—
A: Dissolve 1 g in 10 mL of water: the solution responds to the test for Potassium.
B: Dissolve 0.2 g in 2 mL of water, and add a few drops of bromine TS: the color is discharged.
Acidity or alkalinity— Dissolve 1.1 g in 20 mL of water, and add phenolphthalein TS. If the solution is colorless, titrate with 0.10 N sodium hydroxide to a pink color that persists for 15 seconds: not more than 1.1 mL is required. If the solution is pink in color, titrate with 0.10 N hydrochloric acid: not more than 0.80 mL is required to discharge the pink color.
Loss on drying— Dry it at 105C for 3 hours: it loses not more than 1.0% of its weight.
Heavy metals: 0.001%.
Assay— Dissolve about 300 mg of Potassium Sorbate, accurately weighed, in 40 mL of glacial acetic acid, warming, if necessary, to effect solution. Cool to room temperature, add 1 drop of crystal violet TS, and titrate with 0.1 N perchloric acid VS to a blue-green endpoint. Perform a blank determination, and make any necessary correction. Each mL of 0.1 N perchloric acid is equivalent to 15.02 mg of C6H7KO2.

Potassium Sorbate BP Ph Eur Grade Specifications
C6H7KO2 --- 150.2 --- CAS 590-00-1

Action and use: Antimicrobial preservative.

DEFINITION
Potassium (E,E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate.

Content: 99.0 per cent to 101.0 per cent (dried substance).

CHARACTERS
Appearance: White or almost white powder or granules.
Solubility: Very soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol (96 per cent).

IDENTIFICATION
First identification: B, D.
Second identification: A, C, D.
A. Ultraviolet and visible absorption spectrophotometry.
Test solution: Dissolve 50.0 mg in water R and dilute to 250.0 ml with the same solvent.
Dilute 2.0 ml of this solution to 200.0 ml with 0.1 M hydrochloric acid.
Spectral range: 230-350 nm.
Absorption maximum: At 264 nm.
Specific absorbance at the absorption maximum: 1650 to 1900.
B. Infrared absorption spectrophotometry.
Comparison potassium sorbate CRS.
C. Dissolve 1.0 g in 50 ml of water R, add 10 ml of dilute hydrochloric acid R and shake.
Filter the crystalline precipitate, wash with water R and dry in vacuum over sulphuric acid R for 4 h. The residue obtained melts at 132C to 136C.
D. Dissolve 0.2 g in 2 ml of water R and add 2 ml of dilute acetic acid R. Filter. The solution gives reaction (b) of potassium.

TESTS
Solution S: Dissolve 2.5 g in carbon dioxide-free water R and dilute to 50 ml with the same solvent.
Appearance of solution: Solution S is clear and not more intensely coloured than reference solution.
Acidity or alkalinity: To 20 ml of solution S add 0.1 ml of phenolphthalein solution R. Not more than 0.25 ml of 0.1M sodium hydroxide or 0.1 M hydrochloric acid is required to change the colour of the indicator.
Aldehydes: Maximum 0.15 per cent, expressed as C2H4O.
Dissolve 1.0 g in a mixture of 30 ml of water R and 50 ml of 2-propanol R, adjust to pH 4 with 1 M hydrochloric acid and dilute to 100 ml with water R. To 10 ml of the solution add 1 ml of decolorised fuchsin solution R and allow to stand for 30 min. Any colour in the solution is not more intense than that in a standard prepared at the same time by adding 1 ml of decolorised fuchsin solution R to a mixture of 1.5 ml of acetaldehyde standard solution (100 ppm C2H4O) R, 4 ml of 2-propanol R and 4.5 ml of water R.
Heavy metals: Maximum 10 ppm.
2.0 g complies with test D. Prepare the reference solution using 2 ml of lead standard solution (10 ppm Pb) R.
Loss on drying: Maximum 1.0 per cent, determined on 1.000 g by drying in an oven at 105 °C for 3 h.

ASSAY
Dissolve 0.120 g in 20 ml of anhydrous acetic acid R. Titrate with 0.1 M perchloric acid using 0.1 ml of crystal violet solution R as indicator until the colour changes from violet to bluish-green. 1 ml of 0.1 M perchloric acid is equivalent to 15.02 mg of C6H7KO2.

Potassium Sorbate IP Grade is also offered.

Potassium Sorbate FCC Food Grade

2,4-Hexadienoic Acid, Potassium Salt
CH3CH CHCH CHCOOK
C6H7KO2 Formula weight 150.22
CAS 590-00-1

DESCRIPTION
Potassium Sorbate occurs as white to off white crystals, crystalline powder, or pellets. It decomposes at about 270C.

Function: Antimicrobial agent; preservative.

REQUIREMENTS
Identification:
A. A 1:10 aqueous solution responds to the flame test for Potassium.
B. Add a few drops of bromine TS to 2 mL of a 1:10 solution. The color disappears.
Assay: Not less than 98.0% and not more than 101.0% of C6H7KO2, calculated on the dried basis.
Acidity (as sorbic acid): Passes test (about 1%).
Alkalinity (as K2CO3): Passes test (about 1%).
Lead: Not more than 2 mg/kg.
Loss on Drying: Not more than 1.0%.

Certifications :
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