E202 - Potassium Sorbate

Author: Nia Rouseberg Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristics: Potassium sorbate is a safe preservative and is often used for food processing, especially canned vegetables, egg products, meat and fish products, fruit juice

Characteristic

Potassium sorbate is a safe preservative and is often used for food processing, especially canned vegetables, egg products, meat and fish products, fruit juices, soft drinks. It is also used in the manufacture of cosmetics. It is approved for use in most countries. The maximum amount allowed in raw materials and finished products is from 0.1 to 0.2%.

E 202 is obtained from sorbic acid by neutralizing potassium hydroxide. In appearance it is a white powdery substance, sometimes granular, has a slight sweet taste and no odor. Store in closed boxes in cool and protected from direct sunlight. It is used in all branches of the food industry as a preservative. It is the most soluble of the salts of sorbic acid in an aqueous medium at a temperature of 50-60 C. When dissolved, sorbic acid is released, which is also an active substance. The activity is manifested against mold, yeast cells and aerophilic bacteria. The effect is real in an environment with an acidity of 2 to 6.5 pH.

Use

E 202 is added to products with a weakly acidic environment together with sodium benzoate, which prevents the development of lactic acid bacteria. Potassium sorbate is used in the preparation of cheeses, both during the ripening of solid species and during their storage. The treatment of sausages with the substance inhibits the growth of the fungus. The additive is widely used in canning pickled vegetables because it does not reduce the impact of lactic acid fermentation required for canning.

Potassium sorbate is also popular among canned fruit juices because it protects against mold and fermentation. Used for emulsions such as "water in oil" or vice versa (mayonnaise, for example).

The substance is used in cosmetics in the manufacture of creams, shampoos, lotions.

Impact on humans

The daily amount of the substance should not exceed 25 mg per 1 kg of body weight. It is preferred over other preservatives because of its hygienic safety.

E202 - Potassium Sorbate

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristic

Use

Impact on humans

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