Sorbic acid is a natural, organic preservative frequently used to maintain the freshness of a variety of human foods, drugs, and cosmetic products. Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid possess antifungal, and to a lesser extent antibacterial, properties. Sorbic acid also inhibits mold growth. Some of the important species that are suppressed by sorbic acid belong to the genera Alternaria, Botrytis, Cladosporiwn, Fusariwn, Mucor, Penicilliwn, Rhizopus, Trichoderma. Mold can be a problem in wine cellars. To control mold in the wine cellar, sorbic acid could be included in the antimicrobial compounds used for sanitizing. APPLICATIONS AND USES OF SORBIC ACID Here are a few specific applications with a few details: Dairy Products - The most common methods of application include dipping or spraying with potassium sorbate solutions for natural cheeses and direct addition for processed cheeses. For cottage cheese sorbic acid is added to the cream dressing before pasteurisation. Sorbic Acid in Beverage- Sorbic Acid is widely used as preservative in beverage. As preservative: in carbonated drinks, fruit drinks, dairy drinks to inhibit microbial. Sorbic Acid in Wines - Sorbic acid is used in table wines to prevent secondary fermentation of residual sugar. The addition of sorbic acid affords protection against recontamination by yeasts that have been heated or filter sterilized, but at these low levels it does not provide adequate protection against undesirable malolactic and acetic acid bacteria. ? Sorbic Acid in Pharmaceutical- Sorbic Acid is widely used apreservative in Pharmaceutical. As preservative: in intravenous injected liquid and nutrient solution to inhibit microbial. ? Sorbic Acid in Meat and Poultry - For fresh poultry, a dip in potassium sorbate significantly reduces the total number of viable bacteria and doubles the refrigerated shelf life. Country-cured hams sprayed with sorbate solution result in no mold growth for 30 days. ? Sorbic Acid in Fruit and Vegetable Products - Sorbates are applied as a fungistat for prunes, pickles, relishes, maraschino cherries, olives and figs. The same levels extend the shelf life of prepared salads ,eg, potato salad, coleslaw, tuna salad, etc. In the fermented vegetables, it is used to retard yeasts during fermentation. ? Sorbic Acid in Bakery Products - Sorbates are used in and/or on yeast-raised and chemically leavened bakery products. The use of sorbates in yeast raised products at one fourth the level that is normally added provides the same shelf life without adversely affecting the yeast fermentation. Sorbates added at one tenth the propionate level reduces the mix time by 30%. This internal treatment is used in combination to an external spray of potassium sorbate to increase the shelf life of bakery products. ? Sorbic Acid in Cosmetics- Sorbic Acid is widely used as preservative in Cosmetics. As preservative: in cosmetic and personal care product to inhibit microbial. SPECIFICATION: Description Unit Value Sorbic acid assay % 99.0 to 101.0 Water % <0.5 Heavy metal( as Pb) ppm <10 Melting range Deg>C 132-135 Residue on ignition % <0.2 Arsenic (as As) Ppm <3 DEMAND DRIVER The low toxicity of sorbic acid enhances its desirability as food preservative. The oral LD50 for sorbic acid in rats is lOg/kg compared to 5 g/kg for NaCI. The activity of the sorbates at a higher pH is one distinct advantage over the two other most commonly used food preservatives, i.e benzoic and propionic acids. Sorbates are classified as GRAS in the United States, with no upper limit set for foods that are not covered by Standards of Identity. Sorbates can be applied to food by any of several methods including direct addition, dipping in or spraying with an aqueous sorbate solution, dusting with sorbate powder, or impregnating food packing materials. The potassium salt is used in applications where high water solubility is desired. The continuous increase in food production has significantly increased the demand for food preservatives such as sorbic acid.