Sodium Propionate FCC Food Grade Specifications
CH3CH2COONa
C3H5NaO2 Formula weight 96.06
INS: 281 CAS: CAS 137-40-6

DESCRIPTION
Sodium Propionate occurs as white or colorless, transparent crystals or as a granular, crystalline powder. It is hygroscopic in moist air. One gram is soluble in about 1 mL of water at 25C, in about 0.65 mL of boiling water, and in about 24 mL of alcohol. The pH of a 1:10 aqueous solution is between 8.0 and 10.5.
Function: Preservative; mold inhibitor.

REQUIREMENTS
Identification:
A. A 1:20 aqueous solution gives positive tests for Sodium.
B. Upon ignition, a sample yields an alkaline residue that effervesces with acids.
C. Warm a small sample with sulfuric acid. Propionic acid, recognized by its odor, evolves.
Assay: Not less than 99.0% and not more than 100.5% of C3H5NaO2 after drying.
Alkalinity (as Na2CO3): Passes test (about 0.15%).
Iron: Not more than 0.003%.
Lead: Not more than 2 mg/kg.
Water: Not more than 1%.

Sodium Propionate BP Ph Eur Grade Specifications
C3H5NaO2
96.1 -- CAS 137-40-6
Action and use: Antifungal

DEFINITION
Sodium propionate
Content: 99.0 per cent to 101.0 per cent Sodium propionate (dried substance).

CHARACTERS
Appearance: Colourless crystals or, white or almost white powder, slightly hygroscopic.
Solubility: Freely soluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol, practically insoluble in methylene chloride.

IDENTIFICATION
First identification A, D.
Second identification B, C, D.
A. Infrared absorption spectrophotometry.
Comparison reference spectrum of sodium propionate.
B. Dissolve 0.1 g in a mixture of 2 ml of copper sulphate solution and 2 ml of methylene chloride. Shake vigorously and allow to stand. Both the upper and the lower layer show a blue colour.
C. To 5 ml of solution S add 2 ml of 0.1 M silver nitrate. A white precipitate is formed.
D. Solution S gives reaction of sodium.

TESTS
Solution S: Dissolve 10 g Sodium propionate in carbon dioxide-free water prepared from distilled water and dilute to 100 ml with the same solvent.
Appearance of solution: Solution S is clear and colourless.
pH: 7.8 to 9.2
Dilute 1 ml of solution S to 5 ml with water.
Related substances: Liquid chromatography. To pass the test.
Readily oxidizable substances: In a ground-glass-stoppered conical flask introduce 10 g of the substance ( Sodium propionate.) to be examined.
Add 100 ml of water R and stir to dissolve. Add 25 ml of sodium hypobromite solution and 10 ml of a 200 g/l solution of sodium acetate, stopper the flask and allow to stand for 15 min. Add 10 ml of potassium iodide solution and 20 ml of hydrochloric acid while cooling.
Titrate with 0.2 M sodium thiosulphate, adding 2 ml of starch solution R towards the end of the titration. Carry out a blank titration. The difference between the volumes used in the 2 titrations is not greater than 2.2 ml.
Iron: Maximum 10 ppm.
10 ml of solution S complies with the limit test for iron.
Heavy metals: Maximum 10 ppm.
12 ml of solution S complies with limit test A. Prepare the standard using lead standard solution (1 ppm Pb).
Loss on drying: Maximum 0.5 per cent, determined on 1.000 g by heating in an oven at 105C for 3 h.

Sodium Propionate NF USP Grade Specifications
C3H5NaO2-xH2O
Propanoic acid, sodium salt, hydrate.
Sodium propionate hydrate CAS 6700-17-0
Anhydrous 96.06 CAS 137-40-6

Identification:
A: Infrared Absorption 197K , on un-dried specimen.
B: A solution (1 in 20) responds to the tests for Sodium.
Alkalinity: Dissolve 2.0 g in 20 mL of water, and add phenolphthalein TS: if a pink color is produced, it is discharged by 0.60 mL of 0.10 N sulfuric acid.
Water: not more than 1.0%.
Heavy metals: Dissolve 2 g in 1 mL of 1 N acetic acid and sufficient water to make 25 mL: the limit is 0.001%.