Potassium Benzoate

Synonyms: Benzoate of potash; benzoic acid potassium salt; E212; kalium benzoat; potassium salt trihydrate; ProBenz PG.

Description: Potassium benzoate occurs as a slightly hygroscopic, white, odorless or nearly odorless crystalline powder or granules. Aqueous solutions are slightly alkaline and have a sweetish astringent taste.

Chemical Name: Potassium benzoate

Antimicrobial preservative; tablet and capsule lubricant.

• Potassium benzoate is predominantly used as an antimicrobial preservative in a wide range of beverages, foods and some pharmaceutical formulations.

• Preservative efficacy increases with decreasing pH; it is most effective at pH 4.5 or below.

• However, at low pH undissociated benzoic acid may produce a slight though discernible taste in food products.

• Increasingly, potassium benzoate is used as an alternative to sodium benzoate in applications where a low sodium content is desirable.

• Therapeutically, potassium benzoate has also been used in the management of hypokalemia

Potassium benzoate is incompatible with strong acids and strong oxidizing agents.

Potassium benzoate is widely used in food products and is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material. However, people with a history of allergies may show allergic reactions when exposed to potassium benzoate. Ingestion is inadvisable for asthmatics. Higher concentrations of potassium benzoate have been reported to cause irritation to mucous membranes.

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Potassium benzoate may be irritant to the eyes and skin. Eye protection and gloves are recommended. When exposed to heat, and when heated to decomposition, potassium benzoate emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Benzoic acid; sodium benzoate.