Preservative

Sodium Propionate

E number: E281
Chemistry: Sodium salt of propionic acid
Appearance: White crystalline solid or granular powder
Odour: Faint odour of propionic acid

Sodium Propionate (E281) is the sodium salt of propionic acid, a white crystalline solid or granular powder with a faint propionic acid odour and high water solubility. It inhibits mould and some bacteria, which makes it a standard preservative in bread, cakes and pastries and in compound feed and silage. The analysis shown reports assay 99.59% against a 99.0-100.5% specification, with loss on drying 0.73%, pH 7.93, and iron and heavy metals both under limit.

Why buyers specify this grade

Assay specified 99.0-100.5% with a reported result of 99.59%
Highly soluble in water, so it disperses evenly through a dough
Loss on drying 1.0% max, reported 0.73%, keeping the material free flowing
Heavy metals 0.0002% max and iron 0.003% max
One preservative covering bakery, cheese, processed meat, compound feed and silage

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Specification

Assay	99.0 - 100.5% (result 99.59)
Loss on drying	1.0% max (result 0.73)
Alkalinity	0.15% max
pH	7 - 9 (result 7.93)
Iron	0.003% max
Heavy metals	0.0002% max

Technical data

E number: E281
Chemistry: Sodium salt of propionic acid
Appearance: White crystalline solid or granular powder
Odour: Faint odour of propionic acid
Solubility: Highly soluble in water

Quality control

Released against assay, loss on drying, alkalinity, pH, iron and heavy metals with results reported against each limit
Lot conclusion reported as qualified
TDS and MSDS issued with the order, sample COA on request

Where it is used

Preservative in bread, cakes and pastries preventing mould growth
Cheese and processed meats for food safety and freshness
Compound feed to prevent microbial contamination
Silage preservation and storage stability
Feed hygiene improvement

Who buys it

Bakeries and bread plants
Cheese and processed meat manufacturers
Feed mills and silage producers
Food safety and shelf-life formulators

Problems it solves

Mould on bread and cakes within the intended shelf life
Feed and silage spoiling in storage from microbial contamination
Preservatives that do not disperse evenly in a dough
Uncertainty about assay and heavy metals when a lot arrives without full analysis

Packing and options

Crystalline solid or granular powder form confirmed at order
Food or feed application confirmed at enquiry

How it compares

Calcium propionate carries calcium instead of sodium and supplies at least 18% Ca, which matters where sodium intake is being reduced. Sodium propionate dissolves more readily, which suits liquid and dough systems where fast even distribution is the priority.

Handling and storage

Dissolve or disperse fully in the dough or liquid phase to get even mould protection
Store dry and sealed, the material should stay free flowing
In silage, apply to prevent microbial contamination during storage

FAQ