Sorbic Acid Food Grade, also called E200, is an additive for food that prevents it from spoiling.

 

Sorbic acid E200 is widely used to inhibit yeast and molds in processed cheese, wine, fruit juices, and some baked goods (pastries). 

E200 Sorbic acid is also used in processed meats as an alternative to preservation using nitrites. 

 

Sorbic Acid has a long history of safe use as a preservative in many applications, such as food, personal care, pharma, and feed.

Synonym(s): α-trans-γ-trans-Sorbic acid, (E,E)-1,3-Pentadiene-1-carboxylic acid, 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, 2E,4E-Hexadienoic acid, trans,trans-2,4-Hexadienoic acid, C6:2n-2,4, NSC 35405, NSC 49103, NSC 50268

Other names: 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)-; Sorbic acid, (E,E)-; α-trans-γ-trans-Sorbic acid; trans,trans-Sorbic acid; trans,trans-2,4-Hexadienoic acid; Sorbistat; 1,3-Pentadiene-1-carboxylic acid, (E,E)-; 2-Propenylacrylic acid; 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (trans,trans)-; Acetic acid, (2-butenylidene)-; Acetic acid, crotylidene-; Kyselina 1,3-pentadien-1-karboxylova; Kyselina sorbova; (E,E)-Sorbic acid; (2-Butenylidene)acetic acid; (E,E)-2,4-hexadienoic acid; Crotylidene acetic acid; Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid, (E,E)-; Hexadienoic acid, (E,E); Panosorb; Preservastat; 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (2E,4E)-; 2E,4E-Hexadienoic acid; E 200; E200, 2,4-Hexadienoic acid; hexa-2,4-dienoic acid

Linear Formula: CH3CH=CHCH=CHCOOH

CAS Number: 110-44-1

Molecular Weight: 112.13

Beilstein: 1098547

EC Number: 203-768-7

E Number: E200

Salts and esters form by reaction with the carboxyl group; reactions also occur via its conjugated double bond. 

The acid and its sodium, calcium and potassium salts are used in food. 

Sodium and potassium salts of sorbic acid (i.e., sodium sorbate and potassium sorbate) are not as effective. 

The free acid form is more effective as an antimicrobial. 

The antimicrobial activity of sorbic acid increases as the pH of the media decreases. 

Enhanced activity at low pH results from the acid being fully protonated (unionized) and thus readily taken up by the microorganism. 

A combination of sorbic acid and lactic acid has also been shown to inhibit the growth of the pathogen Salmonella. 

Salts of Sorbic acid are generally preferred over the acid form because they are more soluble in water, but the active form is the acid. 

The optimal pH for the antimicrobial activity is below pH 6.5. 

Sorbates are generally used at concentrations of 0.025% to 0.10%. 

Adding sorbate salts to food will, however, raise the pH of the food slightly, so the pH may need to be adjusted to ensure safety. 

Potassium salt is commonly used because it is more stable and more accessible. 

Furthermore, its excellent solubility extends the use of sorbate to solutions appropriate for dipping and spraying. 

Other derivatives with antimicrobial capabilities (sorboyl palmitate, carbamide, ethyl sorbate, sorbic anhydride) have limited use because they are more insoluble, toxic, and unpalatable.

In cosmetics and personal care products, Sorbic Acid and Potassium Sorbate are used primarily to formulate facial and eye makeup, skincare, and hair products.

Sorbic acid is a naturally occurring compound that’s become the most commonly used food preservative, making the global food chain possible. 

Sorbic acid is highly effective at inhibiting the growth of mold, which can spoil food and spread fatal diseases.

Preferred IUPAC name

(2E,4E)-Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid

Identifiers

CAS Number: 110-44-1 

E number E200 (preservatives)

Properties

Chemical formula: C6H8O2

Molar mass: 112.128 g·mol−1

Density: 1.204 g/cm3

Melting point: 135 °C (275 °F; 408 K)

Boiling point: 228 °C (442 °F; 501 K)

Solubility in water: 1.6 g/L at 20 °C

Acidity (pKa): 4.76 at 25 °C

Sorbic Acid applies to personal care, cosmetics, and industrial applications. 

Sorbic Acid is a preservative for products with a low water content, such as decorative cosmetics. 

Sorbic Acid's industrial applications include using a cross-linker or chemical reagent. 

Sorbic acid can also be used as an additive for cold rubber and as an intermediate in manufacturing plasticizers and lubricants.

SORBIC ACID As a Food Preservative

Sorbic Acid E200 is used as a food preservative. 

Sorbic acid is found in foods such as various kinds of cheese, bread, muffins, donuts, pies, cookies, protein bars, syrups, lemonades, fruit juices, dried meats, sausages, nuggets, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, pizzas, smoked fish, margarine, sauces, soups, and more.

Sorbic acid and its salts, such as sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, and calcium sorbate, are antimicrobial agents often used as preservatives in food and drinks to prevent the growth of mold, yeast, and fungi. Sorbic acid E200 is used in many foods, such as cheeses and breads.

Sorbic acid and its salts have broad-spectrum activity against yeast and molds but are less active against bacteria. 

The antimicrobial action of sorbic acid was independently discovered in the United States and Germany in 1939, and since the mid-1950s, sorbates have been increasingly used as preservatives.

Sorbic acid and its potassium salts are used in low concentrations to control mold and yeast growth in cheese products, baked foods, fruit beverages, pickles, fresh fruits and vegetables, some fish and meat products, and wines.

Sorbic acid is most commonly found in foods, animal feeds, pharmaceutical drugs, and cosmetics.

Sorbic acid retards the growth of yeast and molds and is usually added to foods as a salt. 

The primary food groups contributing to dietary intake of sorbic acid constitute a wide variety permitted at the following levels: various foods 200–2000 mg/kg (liquid egg 5000 mg/kg, cooked seafood 6000 mg/kg) and soft drinks, wine, etc. 200–300 mg/ kg (Sacramental grape juice 2000 mg/kg, liquid tea concentrates 600 mg/kg). 

When it comes to human foods, sorbic acid is most commonly used in:

wines

cheeses

baked goods

fresh produce

refrigerated meat and shellfish

Sorbic acid is used to preserve meats because of its natural antibiotic capabilities. 

Because of its anti-fungal properties, sorbic acid is also used in canned goods, including pickles, prunes, maraschino cherries, figs, and prepared salads.

Sorbic acid and its salts, especially potassium sorbate and calcium sorbate, are antimicrobial agents often used as preservatives in food and drinks to prevent the growth of mold, yeast, and fungi.

The E numbers are:

E200 Sorbic acid

E201 Sodium sorbate

E202 Potassium sorbate

E203 Calcium sorbate

Like benzoic acid, sorbic acid is only weakly water-soluble; therefore, the form most commonly utilized is the water-soluble potassium sorbate.

Sorbic acid and its salts, sodium sorbate and potassium sorbate, are widely used as preservatives in foods, cosmetics, and topical pharmaceutical products.

Sorbic acid is found naturally in the berries of the mountain ash (rowan) tree, from where it was first obtained for use as a preservative.

Safety

Sorbic acid and sorbate salts have very low mammalian toxicity and carcinogenicity.

Its LD50 is estimated to be between 7.4 and 10 g/kg.

sorbic acid

110-44-1

(2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid

2,4-Hexadienoic acid

2E,4E-Hexadienoic acid

Panosorb

Sorbistat

Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid

2-Propenylacrylic acid

Hexadienoic acid

trans,trans-Sorbic acid

(E,E)-2,4-Hexadienoic acid

2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)-

alpha-trans-gamma-trans-Sorbic acid

Preservastat

2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (2E,4E)-

Kyselina sorbova

(E,E)-Sorbic acid

Crotylidene acetic acid

trans,trans-2,4-Hexadienoic acid

Acetic acid, crotylidene-

Caswell No. 801

(2E,4E)-2,4-Hexadienoic acid

(E,E)-1,3-pentadiene-1-carboxylic acid

22500-92-1

Acetic acid, (2-butenylidene)-

Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)

trans-trans-2,4-Hexadienoic acid

(2-Butenylidene)acetic acid

Sorbinsaeure

CCRIS 5748

HSDB 590

Acidum sorbicum

Hexadienic acid

trans,trans-SA

1,3-Pentadiene-1-carboxylic acid

E 200

5309-56-8

EINECS 203-768-7

1,3-Pentadiene-1-carboxylic acid, (E,E)-

Kyselina 1,3-pentadien-1-karboxylova

(2-butenylidene) acetic acid

C6:2n-2,4

EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 075901

Sorbic acid (NF)

Sorbic acid [NF]

UNII-X045WJ989B

2,4-Hexadiensaeure

C6H8O2

FEMA NO. 3921

CHEBI:38358

AI3-14851

INS-200

(E,E)-Sorbic acid; Sorbic acid

X045WJ989B

NSC-35405

NSC-49103

NSC-50268

(E,E)-SA

DTXSID3021277

CHEBI:35962

EC 203-768-7

2,4-SA

MFCD00002703

NCGC00091737-01

.alpha.-trans-.gamma.-trans-Sorbic acid

SORBIC ACID (II)

SORBIC ACID [II]

SORBIC ACID (MART.)

SORBIC ACID [MART.]

SORBIC ACID (USP-RS)

SORBIC ACID [USP-RS]

DTXCID401277

Sorbic Acid [USAN]

SORBIC ACID (EP MONOGRAPH)

SORBIC ACID [EP MONOGRAPH]

Kyselina sorbova [Czech]

Acid, Sorbic

Acid, Hexadienoic

CAS-110-44-1

Acid, Propenylacrylic

Sorbic acid, (E,E)-

(2E,4E)-2,4-Hexenoic acid

Sorbinsaure

sorbic-acid

NSC49103

E-sorbic acid

Kyselina 1,3-pentadien-1-karboxylova [Czech]

Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid, (E,E)-

Sorbic Acid (SA)

Crotylidene-Acetic acid

starbld0040592

trans, trans-Sorbic acid

SORBIC ACID [MI]

SORBIC ACID [FCC]

SCHEMBL1647

SORBIC ACID [HSDB]

SORBIC ACID [INCI]

SORBIC ACID [VANDF]

Sorbic acid, >=99.0%

MLS002152937

(2-butenylidene)-Acetic acid

SORBIC ACID [WHO-DD]

CHEMBL250212

(e,e)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid

Sorbic acid, analytical standard

FEMA 3921

HMS3039E13

Sorbic acid, potassium salt (van)

161814-42-2

s4983

(2E,4E)-2,4-Hexadienoic acid #

2, 4-Hexadienoic acid potassium salt

AKOS000119456

CCG-266056

2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (trans,trans)-

2,4-Hexadienoic acid, >=99%, FCC

91751-55-2

E200

SMR001224532

Sorbic acid, tested according to Ph.Eur.

Sorbic acid, SAJ first grade, >=98.5%

Sorbic acid 1000 microg/mL in Acetonitrile

Sorbic acid, Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 98%

(E,E)-2,4-HEXADIENOIC ACID [FHFI]

EN300-17945

Sorbic acid, for synthesis, 99.0-101.0%

alpha-trans-Laquo gammaRaquo -trans-sorbic acid

Hexadienoic acid1,3-pentadiene-1-carboxylic acid

Sorbic acid, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard

Sorbic acid, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard

Sorbic acid, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material