Potassium lactate
Encyclopedia
Potassium lactate is a compound with formula KC3H5O3, or H3C-CHOH-COOK. It is the potassium
salt
of lactic acid
. It is produced by neutralizing lactic acid
which is fermented from a sugar
source. It has E number
"E326". Potassium lactate is a liquid product that is usually 60% solids but is available at up to 78% solids.
Potassium lactate is commonly used in meat and poultry products to extend shelf life and increase food safety as it has a broad antimicrobial
action and is effective at inhibiting most spoilage and pathogenic bacteria.
Potassium lactate is also used as an extinguishing media in the First Alert Tundra fire extinguishers.
Potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.Potassium and sodium are...
salt
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
of lactic acid
Lactic acid
Lactic acid, also known as milk acid, is a chemical compound that plays a role in various biochemical processes and was first isolated in 1780 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Lactic acid is a carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C3H6O3...
. It is produced by neutralizing lactic acid
Lactic acid
Lactic acid, also known as milk acid, is a chemical compound that plays a role in various biochemical processes and was first isolated in 1780 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Lactic acid is a carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C3H6O3...
which is fermented from a sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
source. It has E number
E number
E numbers are number codes for food additives that have been assessed for use within the European Union . They are commonly found on food labels throughout the European Union. Safety assessment and approval are the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority...
"E326". Potassium lactate is a liquid product that is usually 60% solids but is available at up to 78% solids.
Potassium lactate is commonly used in meat and poultry products to extend shelf life and increase food safety as it has a broad antimicrobial
Antimicrobial
An anti-microbial is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans. Antimicrobial drugs either kill microbes or prevent the growth of microbes...
action and is effective at inhibiting most spoilage and pathogenic bacteria.
Potassium lactate is also used as an extinguishing media in the First Alert Tundra fire extinguishers.