Comparing E1520 - Propylene Glycol vs E280 - Propionic acid
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 3,052 products
Found in 448 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is propylene glycol safe?
Yes—E1520 is authorized in the EU and considered GRAS by the FDA when used within limits; the ADI is 25 mg/kg body weight per day. Very high exposures (mainly from medicines), especially in infants or those with kidney/liver impairment, can cause adverse effects.
What is propylene glycol used for?
In foods it functions as a humectant and solvent/carrier for flavors, colors, and emulsifiers, helping retain moisture and distribute ingredients evenly. It’s commonly used in baked goods, icings, confectionery, and flavor extracts.
Does propylene glycol cause cancer?
No—propane-1,2-diol has not shown carcinogenic effects in studies and is not classified as a human carcinogen. Regulatory evaluations report no cancer concern at permitted food-use levels.
Is propylene glycol antifreeze?
Propylene glycol is used in “low-toxicity” antifreeze and cooling systems, whereas the more toxic antifreeze is typically ethylene glycol. Food-grade propylene glycol is the same chemical but produced to high purity and used at much lower amounts in foods.
Is propylene glycol bad for you?
For most people, typical amounts in foods are not harmful and are well below the ADI (25 mg/kg body weight/day). Some individuals may experience irritation or rare allergic reactions, and excessive exposure—mainly from pharmaceuticals—can be problematic.
Where does propionic acid come from?
It occurs naturally, produced by Propionibacterium in fermented foods (like Swiss-type cheeses) and in the human gut, and is also made commercially by microbial fermentation or petrochemical synthesis.
Is propionic acid a strong acid?
No—it's a weak carboxylic acid (pKa about 4.9), similar in strength to acetic acid.
What is propionic acid used for?
As a food additive (E280), it acts as a preservative that inhibits mold and some bacteria, commonly used in bread, baked goods, and cheese; its salts (e.g., calcium or sodium propionate) are also used.
How is propionic acid made?
It’s produced industrially via petrochemical routes (e.g., hydroformylation/oxidation of ethylene or hydrocarboxylation) and by fermentation using Propionibacterium on sugars or glycerol.
How to reset a sansa e280?
This question is unrelated to the food additive E280 (propionic acid); for resetting a Sansa e280 media player, please consult the device manual or the manufacturer’s support site.