Compare E261 vs E262, Potassium acetate vs Sodium acetates

Overview

E261 - Potassium acetate

Potassium acetate (E261) is a food additive used to control acidity and help preserve foods. It is the potassium salt of acetic acid, the acid that gives vinegar its sharp taste. You’ll mostly see it in pickled or seasoned foods where a stable, mild acidity is needed.

E262 - Sodium acetates

Sodium acetates (E262) are salts of acetic acid used to regulate acidity, add a tangy “salt-and-vinegar” taste, and help keep foods fresh. The group includes sodium acetate and sodium diacetate, both widely used in snacks, baked goods, and some meat and poultry products.

Synonyms

E261

Potassium acetate

E262

Sodium acetates

Functions

acidity regulator preservative

Origins

Products

Found in 293 products

Found in 5,778 products

Search rank & volume

#1647.1K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#46460 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×3.50

over-aware

×0.00

under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

Is potassium acetate soluble?
Yes—potassium acetate is highly soluble; it dissolves readily in water and is also soluble in alcohols.
Is potassium acetate soluble in water?
Yes; it is very soluble in water at room temperature.
What does potassium acetate do in dna extraction?
In DNA extraction (e.g., alkaline lysis), potassium acetate with acetic acid neutralizes the lysate and precipitates SDS–protein–lipid complexes and denatured chromosomal DNA, leaving plasmid DNA in solution.
What is potassium acetate used for?
As a food additive (E261), it’s used as a preservative and acidity regulator/buffering agent to inhibit microbial growth and help control pH. It is also used outside foods for runway de-icing and as a lab reagent.
What is the formula for potassium acetate?
CH3COOK (also written as KC2H3O2 or KCH3COO).

Comparing E261 - Potassium acetate vs E262 - Sodium acetates