E212 (Benzoato di potassio) è un composto chimico, un ingrediente inserito nella lista degli additivi alimentari europei come conservante.

Benzoato di potassio è un composto chimico, sale di potassio dell'acido benzoico. E' prodotto con una reazione tra benzoato di metile con il triacetato di potassio.

Si presenta in forma di polvere bianca cristallina.

A cosa serve e dove si usa

Cosmetica

Conservante. Qualsiasi prodotto contenente composti organici, inorganici, acqua, ha necessità di essere preservato dalla contaminazione microbica. I conservanti agiscono contro lo sviluppo dei microrganismi dannosi e contro l'ossidazione del prodotto.

Alimentazione

Ingrediente inserito nella lista degli additivi alimentari europei come E212 e utilizzato come sostituto di sodio benzoato come conservante quando vi è necessità di diminuire il contenuto di sodio, ad esempio in alimenti dietetici. 

Sicurezza

In uno studio in vitro, il benzoato di potassio è risultato mutagenico, clastogenico e citotossico per i linfociti umani tuttavia Benzoato di potassio  non ha causato un aumento significativo del danno al DNA (1).

Il gruppo di esperti scientifici dell'EFSA sugli additivi alimentari ha ritenuto che l'uso dell'acido benzoico e dei suoi sali di sodio e potassio come additivi alimentari non destino preoccupazioni per quanto riguarda la genotossicità ed ha escluso il potenziale cancerogeno (2).

Benzoato di potassio studi

Formula molecolare     C₇H₅KO₂    C₆H₅COOK

Peso molecolare      160.21

CAS  582-25-2

UNII    763YQN2K7K

EC Number     209-481-3

DSSTox ID  DTXSID1027219

IUPAC  potassium;benzoate

InChl=1S/C7H6O2.K/c8-7(9)6-4-2-1-3-5-6;/h1-5H,(H,8,9);/q;+1/p-1

InChl Key      XAEFZNCEHLXOMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M

SMILES  C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)[O-].[K+]

MDL number  MFCD00013061

PubChem Substance ID    57648337

Beilstein   3719165

NACRES   NA.21

NCI    C84094

Nikkaji      J43.329B

RXCUI       54991

Sinonimi: 

• Benzoic acid, potassium salt

Bibliografia_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Zengin N, Yüzbaşıoğlu D, Unal F, Yılmaz S, Aksoy H. The evaluation of the genotoxicity of two food preservatives: sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate. Food Chem Toxicol. 2011 Apr;49(4):763-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.11.040.

(2) EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources (ANS). (2016). Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of benzoic acid (E 210), sodium benzoate (E 211), potassium benzoate (E 212) and calcium benzoate (E 213) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 14(3), 4433.

Abstract. The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion re-evaluating benzoic acid (E 210), sodium benzoate (E 211), potassium benzoate (E 212) and calcium benzoate (E 213) when used as food additives. Benzoic acid and its sodium and potassium salts are rapidly absorbed after oral administration. The Panel considered that the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of calcium benzoate will be similar to sodium or potassium salt and, therefore, read-across between the salts was possible. The results of short-term and subchronic studies on benzoic acid and its salts indicate that their toxicity is low. The Panel considered that the use of benzoic acid and its sodium and potassium salts as food additives does not raise a concern with respect to genotoxicity and, based on read-across, also considered that this conclusion is applicable for calcium benzoate. Moreover, the Panel noted that the available data did not indicate any carcinogenic potential. A four-generation reproductive toxicity study with benzoic acid in the diet in rats was considered by the Panel as the pivotal study and a no observed adverse effect level of 500 mg benzoic acid/kg body weight (bw) per day, the highest dose tested, was identified. From the aforementioned studies, the Panel derived an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 5 mg/kg bw per day (expressed as benzoic acid) using an uncertainty factor of 100. Taking into account food categories for which direct addition of benzoic acid-benzoates is authorised, the group ADI was exceeded in the brand-loyal scenario in particular for toddlers and children consuming on a regular basis flavoured drinks. Considering additional exposure due to carry-over, the intake could be increased by up to two to three fold for all high-level consumers compared to the previous scenario with only direct addition to food. This results in exceedance of the group ADI in toddlers and children for the non-brand-loyal scenario. The main food categories contributing to this exceedance were unprocessed fruits and vegetables and flavoured drinks.