Potassium sorbate is a white crystalline powder that has antimicrobial properties. It is one of the safest and most commonly used preservatives today. In foods, potassium sorbate increases shelf life and reduces the risk of food-borne illnesses, without adversely affecting taste, color or flavor. It also has several commercial applications in the coatings, rubber and personal car product industries.
Chemical Properties
Potassium sorbate is salt of sorbic acid and is prepared by reacting sorbic acid with potassium hydroxide. It is a white or yellowish crystalline powder or granule. Potassium sorbate is soluble in water. Once dissolved in water, it produces sorbic acid. It is effective as a preservative up to a pH of 6.5. Its effectiveness falls off as pH is lowered. It is inexpensive to produce, shelf stable and easy to use as an ingredient in foods and other products requiring antimicrobial activity.
Uses as a Food Preservative
Potassium sorbate is used as a preservative ingredient in many food products. It inhibits microbial growth, thereby reducing the risk of disease from and increasing the shelf life of food items. It can be used in a variety of foods including dairy products, baked goods, beverages, cured fish and meats, vegetable and fruit products, and confections.
Use in Wine
Potassium sorbate is also used in wine. Once the fermentation process is complete and the wine has reached its proper flavor and body, active yeast still exists within the wine. Potassium sorbate is added to inhibit further yeast growth, protecting the wine from change. This is especially true with semi-sweet and sweet wines that have high levels of sugar in the wine.
Use in Personal Care Products
There are applications for Potassium sorbate in the production of personal care products such as shampoos and conditioners, cosmetics and lotions to prevent the growth of molds and fungi.
Other Commercial Uses
Potassium sorbate also has industrial uses including an improvement of the gloss in certain coatings, an intermediate in the manufacture of lubricants and plasticizers, and an improvement of the milling characteristics of rubber.
Safety
Potassium sorbate has been generally recognized as safe for use in foods and personal care products. It has been cleared as a food preservative by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration based on extensive testing. Potassium sorbate is well-tolerated in most people, being easily metabolized. Allergic reactions are rare.
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