Sodium Acetate

About Sodium Acetate

Sodium acetate is a hygroscopic white solid that is soluble in water. It is the sodium salt of acetic acid. This compound is principally used to as an additive in foods, a preservative in pharmaceuticals, and as a buffer solution for biochemistry.

As the sodium salt of acetic acid, sodium acetate may be safely added to food as a vinegar-seasoning. Thanks to its antimicrobial activity, sodium acetate is also a safe and FDA-approved food preservative. Compounds like sodium acetate, with shorter carbon chains, are associated with stronger antimicrobial activity. Sodium acetate may also be used as a preservative in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

Sodium acetate may be combined in solution with acetic acid to create a buffer, a solution which resists changes in pH. Sodium acetate buffer solutions are widely used for biochemistry applications that require a slightly acidic environment. Such buffers are used for nucleic acid precipitation, protein crystallization, and staining gels.

Major uses and applications

The following areas are the most prevalent applications for sodium acetate.

• Food Industry: Sodium acetate is both a food seasoning and a food preservative. It is used to create a vinegar-like flavor, as well as for its antimicrobial and pH modifying properties.
• Buffers: Sodium acetate may be used to create a buffer solution, particularly for biochemical applications.
• Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: Sodium acetate may be used as a preservative in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Common Uses and Applications

• Food seasoning
• Food grade preservative
• Pharmaceutical preservative
• Cosmetics preservative
• Buffer solutions
• Intravenous electrolyte

Industries

• Food industry
• Biochemical industry
• Cosmetics industry
• Pharmaceutical industry