Sodium dehydroacetate (Sodium DHA) is a chemical compound, the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Sodium indicates the presence of sodium ions (Na+) in the compound.
• Dehydroacetate indicates that the compound is a dehydro derivative of acetic acid. The 'dehydro' part refers to the removal of hydrogen atoms during the formation of the compound.

The synthesis process takes place in different steps:

• Preparation of dehydroacetic acid. Dehydroacetic acid is synthesised from acetic anhydride and malonic acid in the presence of a catalyst.
• Formation of the sodium salt. Dehydroacetic acid is reacted with sodium hydroxide to form the sodium salt, sodium dehydroacetate.

Cosmetics

It is a restricted ingredient as V/13  a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Ingredient or substance at risk: 3-Acetyl-6-methylpyran-2,4(3H)-dione and its salts.

Preservative. Any product containing organic, inorganic compounds, water, needs to be preserved from microbial contamination. Preservatives act against the development of harmful microorganisms and against oxidation of the product.

Food

 Sodium dehydroacetate is also used as a preservative in the food industry. It can inhibit the growth of moulds, yeasts and bacteria in food, thus extending its shelf life. It is often used in bakery products, dairy products, meat products and beverages.

Pharmaceuticals

 In the pharmaceutical industry, sodium dehydroacetate can be used as a preservative in some drugs to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms.

Agriculture

Sodium dehydroacetate can also be used in agriculture, e.g. as a preservative in certain types of animal feed.

Safety

It has recently been reported that DHA-S induces hemorrhage and coagulation aberration in rats and can induce Ca2+ and vitamin D3 deficiency in zebrafish (2).

Can give allergic reactions.

Sodium dehydroacetate studies

• Molecular Formula  C₈H₇NaO₄
• Molecular Weight  190.13 g/mol
• UNII: 8W46YN971G
• CAS  4418-26-2
• EC number   224-580-1

Sinonimi:

• Sodium DHA
• potassium 3-acetyl-6-methyl-2-oxopyran-4-olate
• C-08065
• dehydroacetic acid sodium
• Dehydroacetic acid sodium salt
• 2-Acetyl-5-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-hexenoic acid delta-lactone
• sodium 3-acetyl-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-4-olate
• 3-Acetyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone Sodium Salt
• 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxopyran, sodium salt
• Sodium 3-Acetyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-4(2H)-pyranolate

References_______________________________________________________________________

(1) Liu Y, Fang D, Yang K, Xu T, Su C, Li R, Xiao X, Wang Z. Sodium dehydroacetate confers broad antibiotic tolerance by remodeling bacterial metabolism. J Hazard Mater. 2022 Jun 15;432:128645. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128645. Epub 2022 Mar 9. PMID: 35299107.

(2) Huang X, Zhao X, Zhu K, Ding S, Shao B. Sodium dehydroacetate induces cardiovascular toxicity associated with Ca2+ imbalance in zebrafish. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021 Jan 15;208:111613. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111613. Epub 2020 Nov 9. PMID: 33396133.