E501 (Potassium carbonate) derives from the carbonic acid of which it is the salt. It is obtained from wood ash. It was also called potash.

It appears as a white powder.

What it is used for and where

Industry

As a powerful alkaline catalyst for in situ transesterification of Aurantiochytrium sp. KRS 101, a gradual process in which oil extraction and conversion take place together and for which it was found that the process is performed better than any other catalyst, including acids (1).

Human nutrition

Ingredient included in the list of European food additives as E501 with a leavening function.

Animal feed

Water is obviously an essential nutrient for dairy cows, with the intake varying according to the environment, production and diet. Using potassium carbonate (K2CO3) as a dietary supplement to increase water intake, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of potassium carbonate supplementation on the water consumption of dairy cows. The results revealed a decrease in rumen ammonia, an increase in pH and an increase in water consumption (2).

A recent study reported a 0.4% increase in fat in dairy cows when the diet was increased to 1.2-2% of potassium carbonate (3).

Medicine

It is used, together with potassium citrate, to increase the pH of urine in children with kidney stones or with high levels of cystine in the urine (4).

Cosmetics

Buffering agent. It is an iingredient that can bring an alkaline or acid solution to a certain pH level and prevent it from changing, in practice a pH stabiliser that can effectively resist instability and pH change.

• Molecular Formula  CK₂O₃ K₂CO₃
• Molecular Weight  138.205 g/mol
• CAS  584-08-7  17353-70-7
• EC Number:209-529-3  241-378-9
• UNIII:BQN1B9B9HA
• MDL number:MFCD00011382
• PubChem Substance ID:329768290
• Beilstein Registry Number:4267587

Synonyms:

• Potassium carbonate sesquihydrate
• Dipotassium carbonate
• Potassiumcarbonate
• Potash
• Kalium carbonicum
• Carbonic acid, dipotassium salt
• K-Gran
• Carbonate of potash
• Carbonic acid, potassium salt (1:2)
• Potassium carbonate, anhydrous
• Potassium carbonate anhydrous
• Pearl ash
• Salt of tartar

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Sung M, Han JI. Alkaline in situ transesterification of Aurantiochytrium sp. KRS 101 using potassium carbonate. Bioresour Technol. 2016 Apr;205:250-3. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.12.089. 

(2) Fraley SE, Hall MB, Nennich TD. Effect of variable water intake as mediated by dietary potassium carbonate supplementation on rumen dynamics in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2015 May;98(5):3247-56. doi: 10.3168/jds.2014-8557.

(3) Jenkins TC, Bridges WC Jr, Harrison JH, Young KM. Addition of potassium carbonate to continuous cultures of mixed ruminal bacteria shifts volatile fatty acids and daily production of biohydrogenation intermediates. J Dairy Sci. 2014 Feb;97(2):975-84. doi: 10.3168/jds.2013-7164.

(4) Jenkins TC, Bridges WC Jr, Harrison JH, Young KM. Addition of potassium carbonate to continuous cultures of mixed ruminal bacteria shifts volatile fatty acids and daily production of biohydrogenation intermediates. J Dairy Sci. 2014 Feb;97(2):975-84. doi: 10.3168/jds.2013-7164.