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Potassium Sorbate (Potassium Sorbate, E202).
Potassium sorbate is a substance that has the properties of a preservative. As a natural preservative, Potassium Sorbate is usually obtained from the sap or seeds of plants, but E202 is also obtained by synthesizing chemicals.
General characteristics
Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, which is obtained by using potassium hydroxide in the neutralization process (calorizator). E202 looks like a white powder or granules of small size, arbitrary shape, without taste and smell. One of the most easily soluble sorbates.
History of the creation of Potassium Sorbate
In 1859, sorbic acid was obtained from rowan juice, but only 80 years later they learned that the acid itself and its potassium salt have an antimicrobial effect. Since the mid-twentieth century, sorbic acid has been put into industrial production and has been widely used as a preservative for food products.
Harm of E202 Potassium Sorbate
Potassium sorbate has a low allergenicity, but, nevertheless, it can cause negative reactions, in rare cases-irritation on the mucous membranes and skin.
Application of E202 in the food industry
Due to its antimicrobial properties and the ability to slow down and completely stop the growth of mold fungi, Potassium sorbate is widely used in the food industry, especially in the manufacture of sausages, cheeses and smoked products. E202 is used in the preparation of dough for rye bread, in the process of preserving juices and vegetables. Also, Potassium sorbate has found application in the production of such food products as margarine, sauces and mayonnaise, pastries, confectionery and chocolate, wine and soft drinks. In Asian dishes, Potassium sorbate is used to make spicy sauces, because it has the property of preventing the formation of yeast bacteria and fungi.
Norms and dosages of the use of E202 Potassium Sorbate
E202 is considered a practically harmless food additive, provided that the permissible content of this additive is met, which should not exceed 0.2% for food. Almost all categories have their own dosages, for example, for butter and margarine-60-120 g per 100 kg of product, and for soft drinks-40-60 g per 100 liters of liquid.
Use of E202 Potassium Sorbate
The preservative E202 is allowed as a food additive in almost all countries, our country use Potassium Sorbate throughout the territory.