Sorbic Acid is an unsaturated organic acid widely recognized for its preservative function and is an important ingredient for formulation systems where microbial control is required. Chemically identified as (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid, Sorbic Acid has the molecular formula C₆H₈O₂, molecular weight 112.13 g/mol, and CAS Number 110-44-1.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Sorbic Acid is relevant to formulators developing suitable personal care and cosmetic products where preservation is required. Its technical characteristics, acidic nature, solubility profile and compatibility with appropriately designed preservation systems make it an ingredient of interest for cosmetic formulation development.
For manufacturers searching for Sorbic Acid Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India, Sorbic Acid Cosmetic Grade, Sorbic Acid Preservative, or Sorbic Acid Bulk Ingredient, product identity and specification control are important considerations during raw-material qualification.
Sorbic Acid is a six-carbon unsaturated carboxylic acid containing two conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds. It is commonly described as 2,4-Hexadienoic Acid, (E,E)-2,4-Hexadienoic Acid, or hexa-2,4-dienoic acid.
The substance is generally supplied as a white to off-white crystalline powder or free-flowing crystalline material. It is slightly soluble in water and more soluble in selected organic solvents. JECFA identifies Sorbic Acid as (E,E)-2,4-hexadienoic acid, CAS 110-44-1, molecular weight 112.13 and molecular formula C₆H₈O₂.
| Parameter | Specification / Information |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Sorbic Acid |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Name | Sorbic Acid |
| CAS Number | 110-44-1 |
| EC Number | 203-768-7 |
| Molecular Formula | C₆H₈O₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 112.13 g/mol |
| Chemical Name | (2E,4E)-Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid |
| Synonyms | 2,4-Hexadienoic Acid; (E,E)-2,4-Hexadienoic Acid |
| Chemical Class | Unsaturated Carboxylic Acid |
| Function | Preservative |
| Physical Form | White to off-white crystalline powder |
Commercial reference information also identifies Sorbic Acid as E200 and lists CAS 110-44-1, EC Index Number 203-768-7 and molecular weight 112.13 g/mol.
Preservation is an important consideration in cosmetic and personal care formulation, particularly for products containing water and other ingredients that can support microbial growth.
Sorbic Acid cosmetic ingredient can be incorporated into appropriately designed preservation systems where its use is permitted and technically suitable. Formulators should consider finished-product pH, formulation composition, packaging, water activity, manufacturing hygiene and preservative efficacy testing when developing a finished product.
Sorbic Acid should therefore be evaluated as part of the complete cosmetic preservation system, rather than relying only on the raw material's concentration.
Sorbic Acid can be considered for suitable cosmetic and personal care applications where preservative functionality is required.
Potential formulation areas include:
Actual use depends on the finished formulation, target market, regulatory requirements and compatibility with the overall preservation system.
The formulation environment is an important consideration when developing products containing Sorbic Acid. Sorbic Acid is an acidic organic compound, and the pH of the finished formulation can influence preservative-system performance.
Formulators should evaluate:
A formulation should undergo appropriate stability and microbiological evaluation before commercial production.
Sorbic Acid is slightly soluble in water. JECFA describes it as slightly soluble in water and soluble in ethanol.
A published FCC specification reference describes approximately 1 g dissolving in about 10 mL of alcohol and about 20 mL of ether.
Because of its limited water solubility, formulation developers should consider the method of incorporation and the complete solvent or carrier system when using Sorbic Acid in cosmetic formulations.
For B2B cosmetic ingredient procurement, reliable specifications help manufacturers evaluate raw-material consistency.
The USP-NF monograph defines Sorbic Acid as containing NLT 98.0% and NMT 102.0% Sorbic Acid calculated on the anhydrous basis.
Published FCC specifications commonly use a tighter 99.0–101.0% assay on anhydrous basis, melting range of 132–135°C, water NMT 0.5%, and residue on ignition NMT 0.2%.
These values should be understood according to the referenced standard or product specification and should not automatically be treated as the specification of every commercially available cosmetic-grade batch.
Important quality parameters for Sorbic Acid may include:
For example, a current commercial Ph. Eur./BP/ChP/NF/FCC reference product lists an acidimetric assay of 99.0–101.0% on anhydrous basis, while its HPLC assay specification is separately reported as 98.0–102.0%. This demonstrates why an HPLC value should not be substituted for an acidimetric/pharmacopoeial assay without identifying the analytical method.
For businesses looking for a Sorbic Acid Manufacturer in India, raw-material quality, documentation and batch-to-batch consistency are important factors during supplier qualification.
Swapnroop Drugs & Pharmaceuticals provides technical ingredient information to support professional evaluation of cosmetic and personal care raw materials.
Sorbic Acid can be considered for bulk ingredient requirements where the required grade, specification, documentation, packaging and intended application are established.
Bulk procurement of Sorbic Acid cosmetic ingredient may require evaluation of:
These parameters can assist cosmetic manufacturers, formulation companies, R&D teams and purchasing departments in establishing raw-material qualification procedures.
Regulatory requirements depend on the intended use and destination market.
Historical EU cosmetic preservative provisions list Sorbic Acid and its salts with a maximum concentration of 0.6% expressed as acid.
This concentration should not be confused with the raw-material assay. The 0.6% value relates to the applicable finished cosmetic formulation regulatory framework, while values such as 99.0–101.0% or 98.0–102.0% describe raw-material assay specifications under particular analytical standards.
Cosmetic manufacturers should verify the current legislation applicable to the target market before placing a finished product on the market.
Sorbic Acid is supplied with technical product information to support professional raw-material evaluation.
The product is positioned for manufacturers and formulators evaluating preservative ingredients for suitable personal care applications.
Sorbic Acid can be evaluated for B2B and bulk procurement requirements according to required specifications.
Product information covering identity, chemical properties and relevant specification parameters assists purchasing and formulation teams.
Technical information regarding physical properties, solubility and preservation functionality can support preliminary formulation evaluation.
Sorbic Acid is a technically established preservative ingredient with a defined chemical identity and recognized quality standards. Its CAS Number, molecular formula, molecular weight, assay requirements, melting range and water content provide important parameters for raw-material qualification.
For companies searching for Sorbic Acid Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India, Sorbic Acid Cosmetic Grade, Sorbic Acid Preservative Ingredient, Sorbic Acid Bulk Ingredient, or Sorbic Acid Supplier India, technical specification and intended application should be evaluated together.
The final use level and suitability of Sorbic Acid depend on the finished formulation, target market, regulatory requirements and results of formulation and preservation testing.
Sorbic Acid is an unsaturated carboxylic acid commonly identified as (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid and used as a preservative in suitable applications.
The CAS Number of Sorbic Acid is 110-44-1.
The molecular formula is C₆H₈O₂ and molecular weight is 112.13 g/mol.
USP-NF defines Sorbic Acid at 98.0–102.0% on anhydrous basis. Published FCC specifications commonly specify 99.0–101.0% on anhydrous basis.
A commonly published FCC specification gives a melting range of 132–135°C.
A commonly published FCC specification gives NMT 0.5% water.
Sorbic Acid is slightly soluble in water.
Sorbic Acid is recognized for preservative functionality and has been included in cosmetic preservative provisions, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0–102.0% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.2% |
| Heavy Metals | NMT 10 ppm |
| Water Content | NMT 0.5% |
| Melting Point | 132–135°C |