Tripotassium phosphate
General Product Information
| Article | Tripotassium phosphate |
| Synonyms | E340(iii), Potassium phosphate, Potassium tetraoxidophosphate(3−), Potassium phosphate tribasic |
| CAS No. | 7778-53-2 |
| EEG No. | – |
| EINECS No. | 22763-02-6 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 283524 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Tripotassium phosphate is an inorganic salt. It is a white, odorless, crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water and forms a strong alkaline solution. Trikalium phosphate is widely used in the food industry, chemical processes, cleaning applications and Water Treatment. It is a functional compound that adds value as a stabilizer, emulsifier, pH regulator and nutrient.
Characteristics
- Odor: Odorless.
- Hygroscopic: Yes.
- Color: White.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water; Insoluble in ethanol and organic solvents.
- Taste: –
- Shape: Crystalline powder.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | K3PO4 |
| Molar Weight | 212.27 g/mol |
| Melting Point | Approx. 1340 °C (decomposes). |
| Boiling Point | – |
| Density | Approx. 2.56 g/cm³. |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | 11.5 – 12.5 (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 – Potassium Phosphate, Tribasic – Chemical information by the National Library of Medicine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH-NCBI).
- Wikipedia – Tripotassium phosphate
Applications
1. Food Industry
Tripotassium phosphate acts as an emulsifier, stabilizer, acidity regulator and moisture retention agent (under food additive E340(iii)). It is commonly used in processed foods, such as meat products, cheese products and instant drinks.
2. Pharmaceutical & Laboratory Applications
In laboratories, it is sometimes used in buffer solutions, partly because of its controllable pH and solubility.
3. Agriculture
In fertilizer formulations, trikalium phosphate is used as a source of both potassium and phosphate – two essential nutrients for plant growth. The compound attenuates root development and flowering.
4. Cleaning & Industrial Applications
Because of its high pH, trikalium phosphate is used as an alkaline cleaner and degreaser. It also acts as a buffering agent in chemical processes.
5. Water Treatment
Tripotassium phosphate can be used in formulations to control corrosion in water supply systems, especially in industrial plants.