Potassium lactate is a compound with formula KC₃H₅O₃. It is the

potassium Potassium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol K (from Neo-Latin ) and atomic number19. It is a silvery white metal that is soft enough to easily cut with a knife. Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmospheric oxygen to ...

salt In common usage, salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). When used in food, especially in granulated form, it is more formally called table salt. In the form of a natural crystalline mineral, salt is also known as r ...

lactic acid Lactic acid is an organic acid. It has the molecular formula C3H6O3. It is white in the solid state and it is miscible with water. When in the dissolved state, it forms a colorless solution. Production includes both artificial synthesis as wel ...

and appears as a clear,

hygroscopic Hygroscopy is the phenomenon of attracting and holding water molecules via either absorption (chemistry), absorption or adsorption from the surrounding Natural environment, environment, which is usually at normal or room temperature. If water mol ...

, syrupy liquid suspension that is typically 60% solids. The substance can be concentrated to contain up to 78% solids. It is produced by neutralizing

, which is fermented from a

sugar Sugar is the generic name for sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates, many of which are used in food. Simple sugars, also called monosaccharides, include glucose Glucose is a sugar with the Chemical formula#Molecular formula, molecul ...

source. It has

E number E numbers, short for Europe numbers, are codes for substances used as food additives, including those found naturally in many foods, such as vitamin C, for use within the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Commonly ...

E326.

Uses

Culinary uses

Potassium lactate is commonly used in meat and poultry products to extend shelf life and increase food safety, as it has a broad

antimicrobial An antimicrobial is an agent that kills microorganisms (microbicide) or stops their growth (bacteriostatic agent). Antimicrobial medicines can be grouped according to the microorganisms they are used to treat. For example, antibiotics are used aga ...

action and is effective at inhibiting most spoilage and pathogenic bacteria.Meat and Poultry. http://www.purac.com/EN/Food/ingredients/Meat_poultry_and_fish.aspx

Fire fighting uses

Potassium lactate is used as an extinguishing medium in First Alert Tundra

fire extinguisher A fire extinguisher is a handheld active fire protection device usually filled with a dry or wet chemical used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergencies. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which ha ...

s. MSDS for First Alert Tundra (MSDS 06-1753A), http://www.firstalert.com/site_content/85-home/952-tundra-fire-extinguishing-spray#downloads

References

Lactates Food additives Potassium compounds E-number additives {{Firefighting-stub