Description
Potassium Sorbate, Pure
Other names
Sorbistat-K, Sorbistat potassium
CAS Number 24634-61-5
EC Number 246-376-1
E number E202
Chemical formula C6H7KO2
Solubility in water 585g/l (100 °C)
Usage
0.2g of E202 for every 500ml of solution impedes the growth of mildew and fungus.
It’s recommended to use E202 together with E300 which protects against growth of bacteria and lowers solution’s ph protecting against disintegration of compounds.
It is the safest way of conservation for the users and 100% safe for the living organisms and plants in aquariums. Optionally, you can add 2ml of carbon (e.g., easy carbo, liquid carbo) for every 500ml of solution.
10g E202 is enough to conserve 25 liters of solution
Store in dark place, in room temperature.
In order to measure the required amount you can either use a scale, a measuring jug (with milliliters), a teaspoon or a tablespoon. If you want to use spoons, it is important that you use the same spoon for all of your mixtures. The size of the spoon is not that important – it is the maintenance of the proportions of all of the ingredients that matters.
Just to give a rough guide: 1 teaspoon = approximately 5g, 1 tablespoon = approximately 15g.
What also needs to be remembered is that every chemical compound has different maximum solubility in water and that the values given above are accurate for distilled water. The maximum solubility in RO water will be slightly lower; solubility in boiled water will be even lower (if you want to use boiled water, we recommend you to boil it for 3min and than let it drop to room temperature).
It is worth mentioning that saturation of a solution of one salt will decrease the solubility of another salt added to the same solution.
Good To Know
Potassium sorbate (E202) is a preservative protecting against growth of mildew and fungus. In foods potassium sorbate is often combined with sodium benzoate as it does not possess antibacterial properties. E202 is believed to be the safest food additive, it is also used in cosmetics and drugs as a preservative. As potassium sorbate is metabolised in human’s body in the same way as fatty acids are metabolised, it is nontoxic. Potassium sorbate’s non toxicity has been confirmed by scientific research.
Potassium sorbate is potassium salt of sorbic acid – and it is often used as a food preservative – signified with a symbol E202. It takes a form of white crystal powder or granules, it’s tasteless and scentless. Potassium sorbate precursor – sorbic acid (E202) – is also used as a food preservative, however due to its acrid taste, noticeable scent and low solubility in water and in alcohol producers prefer using potassium sorbate instead. Potassium sorbate is highly soluble in water and in organic solubles. Potassium sorbate is obtained in a reaction between sorbic acid and potassium hydroxide and it becomes crystallised from ethanol water solution.
Damian –
Really good product