Health Dictionary Find a Doctor

Sodium propionate

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Overview

Sodium propanoate or sodium propionate is the sodium salt of propionic acid which has the chemical formula Na(C2H5COO). This white crystalline solid is deliquescent in moist air.

Reactions

Reactions

It is produced by the reaction of propionic acid and sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.

Uses

Uses

It is used as a food preservative and is represented by the food labeling E number E281 in Europe; it is used primarily as a mold inhibitor in bakery products. It is approved for use as a food additive in the EU,[1] USA[2] and Australia and New Zealand[3] (where it is listed by its INS number 281).

See Also

See Also

References

References

  1. UK Food Standards Agency: “Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers”. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  2. US Food and Drug Administration: “Listing of Food Additives Status Part II”. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  3. Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code“Standard 1.2.4 – Labelling of ingredients”. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
External links

Template:Ophthalmological anti-infectives

Categogy:Drug


Template:Pharmacology-stub

Looking for the patient version?

Back to the patient-friendly article

© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH