Monopotassium phosphate
General Product Information
| Article | Monopotassium phosphate |
| Synonyms | E340(i), Potassium dihydrogen phosphate, Potassium phosphate monobasic, Phosphoric acid, Monopotassium salt, Potassium biphosphate |
| CAS No. | 7778-77-0 |
| EEG No. | – |
| EINECS No. | 231-913-4 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 28352400 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Monopotassium phosphate is a water-soluble crystalline powder that provides an important source of potassium and phosphorus, two essential nutrients for plants. It is widely used in agriculture as a fertilizer, but also has applications in the Food Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry and other industrial sectors. Because of its good solubility in water, it is often used in irrigation systems, as part of liquid fertilizers or as an ingredient in feed supplements.
Characteristics
- Odor: –
- Hygroscopic: Yes, light.
- Color: White.
- Grade: Food.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water.
- Taste: –
- Shape: Crystalline powder.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | KH2PO4 |
| Molar Weight | 136.09 g/mol |
| Melting Point | Approx. 253 °C (at decomposition). |
| Boiling Point | – |
| Density | Approx. 2.338 g/cm³. |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | Approx. 4.4 (on 1% solution). |
Interessing Links
- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) – Guidelines and standards for food additives and ingredients.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- European Food Information Council (EFIC)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Information on the safety and uses of food additives and ingredients.
- PubChem – Monobasic potassium phosphate – Chemical information by the National Library of Medicine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH-NCBI).
- Wikipedia – Monopotassium phosphate
Applications
Monopotassium phosphate is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Food Industry
In the food industry, monopotassium phosphate (as food additive E340(i)) is used as an acidity regulator and stabilizer. It is often added to processed foods such as cheese, meat products and soft drinks.
2. Pharmaceutical Industry
It is used as a buffer salt in pharmaceutical formulations and can act as a nutrient source in infusion solutions and other medical Applications.
3. Agriculture
Monopotassium phosphate is a popular fertilizer used in Agriculture because of its high Solubility and easy uptake by plants. It provides an efficient way to deliver potassium and phosphate to plants, which is essential for healthy growth, flowering and fruiting. It is often used in liquid fertilizers and can also be applied through drip irrigation systems or foliar feeding.
4. Industrial Use
In the Chemical Industry, it is sometimes used in flame retardants and as a component in cleaning and sanitizing agents.