Comparing E200 - Sorbic acid vs E252 - Potassium nitrate
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Found in 6,918 products
Found in 14 products
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Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is sorbic acid bad for you?
Not for most people—it's a widely approved food preservative with low toxicity at permitted levels; rare individuals may experience mild irritation or digestive upset with high exposure.
Is sorbic acid safe for dogs?
Yes, when used at regulated amounts as a preservative in dog foods it’s considered safe; excessive intake may cause stomach upset in sensitive dogs.
Is sorbic acid safe?
Yes—it's approved in the EU (E200) and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) in the U.S. at typical food-use levels, with adverse effects uncommon at those amounts.
What is sorbic acid made from?
Commercially it’s synthesized from crotonaldehyde and ketene; it also occurs naturally in small amounts in rowan (mountain ash) berries.
Is sorbic acid natural?
It occurs naturally in some fruits, but the sorbic acid used in foods is almost always synthetically produced and is chemically identical to the natural compound.
Is potassium nitrate soluble in water?
Yes—it's readily soluble in water (about 32 g per 100 g water at 20°C, increasing sharply with temperature) and only sparingly soluble in alcohol.
Why is potassium nitrate classified as an electrolyte?
Because it dissociates completely into potassium (K+) and nitrate (NO3−) ions in water, allowing the solution to conduct electricity as a strong electrolyte.
How to make potassium nitrate?
Industrial and food-grade potassium nitrate is made by neutralizing nitric acid with a potassium base (e.g., potassium hydroxide or carbonate) and then purifying/crystallizing; it should not be made at home, and food use requires regulated, food-grade material.
What does potassium nitrate do for teeth?
In desensitizing toothpastes, it helps reduce sensitivity by calming dental nerves (via potassium ions), with benefits building over several days to a few weeks of regular use.
What is potassium nitrate used for?
As E252, it's used in certain cured meats and cheeses as a preservative/curing aid under strict limits; outside food it’s used in fertilizers, some toothpastes for sensitivity, and pyrotechnics.