Metabolism / Metabolites
The results of metabolic studies were that sorbic acid was qualitatively metabolized in the same manner as the saturated or singly unsaturated fatty acids of the same C-atom number. Under normal conditions, sorbic acid was almost completely oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. /Sorbic acid/

Toxicity Summary
IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Potassium sorbate forms white crystals or powder with characteristic odor. It is used as preservative and antimicrobial agent for foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It has been also used as medication. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: Formulations containing up to 0.5% sorbic acid and/or potassium sorbate were not significant primary or cumulative irritants and not sensitizers at this test concentration. In humans, a few cases of idiosyncratic intolerances have been reported (non-immunological contact urticaria and pseudo-allergy). ANIMAL STUDIES: Potassium sorbate was practically nontoxic to rats and mice in acute oral toxicity studies. Potassium sorbate at concentrations up to 10% was practically nonirritating to the rabbit's eye. Potassium sorbate have been tested for mutagenic effects using the Ames test, genetic recombination tests, reversion assays, rec assays, tests for chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, and gene mutations. Results have been both positive and negative. Potassium sorbate at 0.1% in the diet or 0.3% in drinking water of rats for up to 100 weeks produced no neoplasms. No teratogenic effects have been observed in pregnant mice and rats administered potassium sorbate.

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Interactions
The food additives sodium nitrite and potassium sorbate had cytostatic and cytotoxic effects on in vitro cultured V79 hamster cells and EUE human fibroblasts if administered in an acid environment (pH 4.95). The strong cytotoxic effect of sodium nitrite and that of the combined action of sodium nitrite and potassium sorbate was observed along the inhibition of macromolecular synthesis. In this respect, potassium sorbate was less effective. The decreased plating efficiency of the cells and the inhibition of de novo DNA synthesis induced by these substances aroused the question whether they also have genotoxic effects on V79 cells. Statistical analyses showed that sodium nitrite induced more 6-TG-resistant (6-TGr) mutants as compared to the untreated control. However, this elevation did not correspond to the level of inhibition of DNA synthesis determined during the followed period of time after the removal of the substance. Potassium sorbate and a combination thereof with sodium nitrite, in our experiments, had no mutagenic effects.
Although potassium sorbate (PS), ascorbic acid and ferric or ferrous salts (Fe-salts) are used widely in combination as food additives, the strong reactivity of PS and oxidative potency of ascorbic acid in the presence of Fe-salts might form toxic compounds in food during its deposit and distribution. In the present paper, the reaction mixture of PS, ascorbic acid and Fe-salts was evaluated for mutagenicity and DNA-damaging activity by means of the Ames test and rec-assay. Effective lethality was observed in the rec-assay. No mutagenicity was induced in either Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 (with or without S-9 mix) or TA100 (with S-9 mix). In contrast, a dose-dependent mutagenic effect was obtained when applied to strain TA100 without S-9 mix. The mutagenic activity became stronger increasing with the reaction period. Furthermore, the reaction products obtained in a nitrogen atmosphere did not show any mutagenic and DNA-damaging activity. PS, ascorbic acid and Fe-salts were inactive when they were used separately. Omission of one component from the mixture of PS, ascorbic acid and Fe-salt turned the reaction system inactive. These results demonstrate that ascorbic acid and Fe-salt oxidized PS and the oxidative products caused mutagenicity and DNA-damaging activity.

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Non-Human Toxicity Values
LD50 Rats oral 4920 mg/kg
LD50 Mice ip 1300 mg/kg

[1]. Growth and Inhibition of Microorganisms in the Presence of Sorbic Acid: A Review. J Food Prot. 1985 Apr;48(4):364-375.

Potassium sorbate is a potassium salt having sorbate as the counterion. It has a role as an antimicrobial food preservative. It contains an (E,E)-sorbate.
Mold and yeast inhibitor. Used as a fungistatic agent for foods, especially cheeses.

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Therapeutic Uses
One hundred and twenty-two cases of vaginal fungal infections treated with potassium sorbate are presented. A new method of follow-up home application by means of vaginal tampons is tried. Relief of symptoms is prompt, and yeast organism disappear; the safety and superior efficacy of a strengthened (3%) solution is established. Treatment of fungal infections in males is also discussed.

C6H7KO2

150.2169

150.008

24634-61-5

Sorbic acid;110-44-1

23676745

White to off-white solid powder

1,361 g/cm3

233ºC at 760 mmHg

270 °C

139.9ºC

0

2

2

9

127

0

C/C=C/C=C/C(=O)[O-].[K+]

CHHHXKFHOYLYRE-STWYSWDKSA-M

InChI=1S/C6H8O2.K/c1-2-3-4-5-6(7)8;/h2-5H,1H3,(H,7,8);/q;+1/p-1/b3-2+,5-4+;

potassium;(2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Note: Please store this product in a sealed and protected environment, avoid exposure to moisture.

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

H2O : ~50 mg/mL (~332.85 mM)
DMSO :< 1 mg/mL

Note: Listed below are some common formulations that may be used to formulate products with low water solubility (e.g. < 1 mg/mL), you may test these formulations using a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples.

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Injection Formulation 1: DMSO : Tween 80： Saline = 10 : 5 : 85 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO stock solution → 50 μL Tween 80 → 850 μL Saline)
*Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH ₂ O to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 2: DMSO : PEG300 ：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 3: DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL Corn oil)
Example: Take the Injection Formulation 3 (DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90) as an example, if 1 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can take 100 μL 25 mg/mL DMSO stock solution and add to 900 μL corn oil, mix well to obtain a clear or suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

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Injection Formulation 4: DMSO : 20% SBE-β-CD in saline = 10 : 90 [i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL (20% SBE-β-CD in saline)]
*Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 5: 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin : Saline = 50 : 50 (i.e. 500 μL 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin → 500 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 6: DMSO : PEG300 : castor oil : Saline = 5 : 10 : 20 : 65 (i.e. 50 μL DMSO → 100 μLPEG300 → 200 μL castor oil → 650 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 7: Ethanol : Cremophor : Saline = 10： 10 : 80 (i.e. 100 μL Ethanol → 100 μL Cremophor → 800 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 8: Dissolve in Cremophor/Ethanol (50 : 50), then diluted by Saline
Injection Formulation 9: EtOH : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 900 μL Corn oil)
Injection Formulation 10: EtOH : PEG300：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)

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Oral Formulation 1: Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na (carboxymethylcellulose sodium)
Oral Formulation 2: Suspend in 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Example: Take the Oral Formulation 1 (Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na) as an example, if 100 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can first prepare 0.5% CMC Na solution by measuring 0.5 g CMC Na and dissolve it in 100 mL ddH2O to obtain a clear solution; then add 250 mg of the product to 100 mL 0.5% CMC Na solution, to make the suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

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Oral Formulation 3: Dissolved in PEG400
Oral Formulation 4: Suspend in 0.2% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 5: Dissolve in 0.25% Tween 80 and 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 6: Mixing with food powders

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Note: Please be aware that the above formulations are for reference only. InvivoChem strongly recommends customers to read literature methods/protocols carefully before determining which formulation you should use for in vivo studies, as different compounds have different solubility properties and have to be formulated differently.

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 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)