potassium sorbate

Potassium sorbate is a small molecule salt of sorbic acid that is widely utilized as a chemical preservative (**E202**) in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. It is particularly effective as an antimicrobial agent against molds, yeasts, and various bacteria, functioning by disrupting microbial cell membranes and inhibiting metabolic enzymes. In clinical pharmacy, potassium sorbate is a common excipient used to stabilize liquid oral suspensions, topical gels, and ophthalmic solutions. It has also been clinically evaluated as a component of the antiseptic product **Sorbectol** (in combination with chlorhexidine digluconate and ethanol) for surgical hand preparation. Beyond its role as a preservative, toxicological studies have indicated that high concentrations of potassium sorbate can modulate apoptotic gene expression in mammalian cells, specifically affecting **BAX**, **BCL2**, and **Caspase-3** levels. It is also frequently employed as an inert placebo in clinical trials involving oral and topical formulations.

Other names

E202E-202E 202potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoatesorbic acid potassium saltpotassium (E,E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate