Sodium Propionate

7,5-10,5 (10 % aqueous solution)

Neutral or slightly alkaline reaction to litmus

Fungicides

Active substance -> EU Pesticides database: Not approved

Transparent crystals, granules

FREE-FLOWING

Colorless, crystalline solid

1 g dissolves in about 1 ml water, in about 0.65 ml boiling water, in about 24 ml alcohol @ 25 °C

Soluble in water forming alkaline solutions. Slightly soluble in alcohol.

Solubility in water, g/100ml: 100 (good)

Danger

H302: Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]

P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P272, P273, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P305+P354+P338, P317, P321, P330, P333+P317, P362+P364, P391, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 40.8% (190 of 466) of reports.

Warning

H312 (32.2%): Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]

Chemical: Propanoic acid, sodium salt

Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (amended)

Propanoic acid, sodium salt (1:1) is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Propanoic acid, sodium salt (1:1) are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

2004/129/EC

Status: Active Update: 03-11-2021 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/22334

Sodium propionate: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

No significant adverse effects were observed in rats during long term feeding studies; Oral LD50 (mouse) = 6332 mg/kg; [HSDB] An eye and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] An eye and mild skin irritant; [eChemPortal: ERMA] May cause irritation; [MSDSonline]

Substances classified as antimycotics, when migrating from food-packaging material include sodium propionate.

Substance added directly to human food affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when meeting specified requirements.

Sodium propionate used as a chemical preservative in animal drugs, feeds, and related products is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice.

Sodium propionate is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance for residues when used as follows: (a) as a fungicide in the production of garlic; and (b) for postharvest application as a preservative on salad greens and vegetables intended for consumption as salads.

Residues of sodium propionate are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a preservative for formulation in accordance with good agricultural practices as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their future use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether they are eligible for reregistration. In addition, all pesticides must meet the new safety standard of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA, as amended in 1988, were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern and List D pesticides of less concern. Sodium propionate is found on List D. Case No: 4078; Case Status: RED Approved 09/91; OPP has made a decision that some/all uses of the pesticide are eligible for reregistration, as reflected in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document.; Active ingredient (AI): Sodium propionate; AI Status: The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered pesticide products ... "cancelled."

Acute Tox. 4 (32.2%)

Eye irritation - category 2A

Acute Tox. 4 *

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible).

Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Wash away remainder with plenty of water.

Sodium propionate is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance for residues when used as follows: (a) as a fungicide in the production of garlic; and (b) for postharvest application as a preservative on salad greens and vegetables intended for consumption as salads.

Residues of sodium propionate are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a preservative for formulation in accordance with good agricultural practices as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.

IN RATS, VITAMIN B12 PREVENTED GROWTH LOSS CAUSED BY SODIUM PROPIONATE.

SODIUM PROPIONATE EXERTED SIGNIFICANT PROTECTIVE EFFECT AGAINST AMMONIA INTOXICATION IN CHICKS WHEN ADMIN IP 7 HR PRIOR TO AMMONIUM ACETATE CHALLENGE. EFFECTIVE DOSES RANGED FROM 3-4 MMOLE/KG.

Cough. Sore throat.

Redness. Pain.

IN RAT FEEDING TRIALS ... SODIUM ... PROPIONATE HAD NO EFFECT ON GROWTH WHEN FED @ LEVELS OF 1-3 G DAILY, FOR 4-5 WK, BEGINNING WHEN ANIMALS WERE ABOUT 4 WK OF AGE. IN LATER STUDIES ... 5% PROPIONATE ... IN BREAD BEFORE BAKING ... WAS FED AS 3/4 OF DIET ... FOR 1 YR. THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE TOXICITY ...

... /AFTER/ PROLONGED FEEDING ... TO RATS AT 50 TIMES THE LEVEL USED IN BREAD ... TEMPORARY GROWTH DEPRESSION WAS THE ONLY EFFECT SEEN.

The effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) on the contractile response of rat ileum were studied in vivo. The contractile response was estimated by means of changes in the intraluminal pressure under the isometric condition. IV admin of the sodium salt produced biphasic contractions: an initial phasic contraction and subsequent tonic contraction. Sigmoid dose-response curve was obtained for the phasic contraction. Repeated admin of propionate at intervals of less than 3 min led to tachyphylaxis, and this tachyphylaxis disappeared by about 10 min. Short-chain fatty acids induced the biphasic contraction of the rat ileum, probably by neurogenic and myogenic mechanisms.

Propionate (2.5 mmol/kg as the sodium salt) was infused rapidly via a jugular vein into each of 13 multiparous Holstein cows at 7 wk postpartum for observation of clearance of propionate. Associated concn changes of acetic acid and glucose in blood plasma and glucagon & insulin in blood serum were quantified. This dose elevated concn of propionate, which declined subsequently at an exponential rate. Concn of glucagon & insulin were incr in the sampling immediately following infusion, yet subsequent decline of insulin concn acted to decr the molar ratio of insulin:glucagon as propionate returned to preinfusion concn. There was a negative correlation between glucose and molar ratio of insulin:glucagon. A supraphysiological dose of propionate has an immediate effect on the pancreas to alter endocrine secretion in the lactating cow.

LD50 Mouse oral 6332 mg/kg

LD50 Mouse sc 2100 mg/kg

LD50 Rabbit skin 1640 mg/kg

Substances classified as antimycotics, when migrating from food-packaging material include sodium propionate.

Substance added directly to human food affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when meeting specified requirements.

Sodium propionate used as a chemical preservative in animal drugs, feeds, and related products is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice.

Sodium propionate is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance for residues when used as follows: (a) as a fungicide in the production of garlic; and (b) for postharvest application as a preservative on salad greens and vegetables intended for consumption as salads.

Residues of sodium propionate are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a preservative for formulation in accordance with good agricultural practices as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their future use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether they are eligible for reregistration. In addition, all pesticides must meet the new safety standard of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA, as amended in 1988, were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern and List D pesticides of less concern. Sodium propionate is found on List D. Case No: 4078; Case Status: RED Approved 09/91; OPP has made a decision that some/all uses of the pesticide are eligible for reregistration, as reflected in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document.; Active ingredient (AI): Sodium propionate; AI Status: The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered pesticide products ... "cancelled."

S - Sensory organs

QA - Alimentary tract and metabolism

QS - Sensory organs

INCORPORATION RATE OF SPECIFICALLY LABELED SODIUM PROPIONATE INTO METHYLMALONATE & TRICARBOXYLIC ACID CYCLE INTERMEDIATES STUDIED. INCORPORATION OF (14)C FROM SODIUM PROPIONATE INTO METABOLIC INTERMEDIATES BEYOND METHYLMALONATE WAS POSITIVELY CORRELATED WITH LIVER VITAMIN B-12 CONCN.

MICE RECEIVED IV LABELED SODIUM PROPIONATE. ANALYSIS OF TOTAL BODY FATTY ACIDS 12 MIN LATER SHOWED 89 & 11 OF THE LABELS TO BE INCORPORATED INTO ODD-NUMBERED & EVEN-NUMBERED FATTY ACIDS, RESPECTIVELY. RESULTS CONFIRMED PROPOSED DEMETHYLATION OF PROPIONIC ACID IN VIVO.

Used as mold preventative (bread, other baked goods, and animal feed), preservative in tobacco, topical antifungal, and veterinary medication; Used formerly as fungicide; [HSDB]

Cancelled--no longer registered as a pesticide for use in the US; [HSDB]

Farming (Feed Additives) [Category: Industry]

The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered pesticide products ... "cancelled."

MEDICATION (VET)

MEDICATION

2023: 2,050 lb

(1972) 1.87X10+9 GRAMS

(1973) 1.63X10+6 GRAMS

(1984) 9.52X10+8 g

Separate statistics for this item are not published to avoid disclosure of individual company operations.

REACTION OF PROPIONIC ACID AND SODIUM CARBONATE OR SODIUM HYDROXIDE

Propionic acid + sodium hydroxide (salt formation)

SODIUM PROPIONATE NF; PROPANOIC ACID, SODIUM SALT, HYDRATE

SODIUM PROPIONATE IS OFTEN COMPOUNDED WITH ANTIBIOTICS OR ANTISEPTICS.

Grades: National Formulary; Food Chemical Codex

Propionic acid and sodium propionate ... may be compounded together or with sodium caprulate ... Sodium propionate is used in proprietary preparations in concentrations of 1 to 5%.

EPA Safer Chemical Functional Use Classes -> Preservatives and Antioxidants;Processing Aids and Additives

Safer Chemical Classes -> Green circle - The chemical has been verified to be of low concern

Food additives

Food Additives -> PRESERVATIVE -> JECFA Functional Classes

Cosmetics -> Preservative

Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable

Propanoic acid, sodium salt (1:1): ACTIVE

Propanoic acid, sodium salt (2:1): INACTIVE

PROPIONATES ARE MORE ACTIVE AGAINST MOLDS THAN SODIUM BENZOATE, BUT HAVE ESSENTIALLY NO ACTIVITY AGAINST YEAST. THEY HAVE LITTLE ACTION /IN BAKED GOODS/ ... AGAINST BACTERIA WITH NOTABLE EXCEPTION OF THEIR ABILITY TO INHIBIT THE ORGANISM WHICH CAUSES ROPE. THE PH FOR OPTIMUM ACTIVITY OF PROPIONATES RANGES UP TO 5.0, ALTHOUGH IN SOME FOODS THEY ARE ACTIVE UP TO PH 6, OR SLIGHTLY HIGHER. ... IN CHEESE PRODUCTS ... /PROPIONATES/ ARE LIMITED TO 0.3%. PROPIONATES ARE NOT MENTIONED IN FOOD-ADDITIVE REGULATIONS OF WEST GERMANY, INDIA, PAKISTAN, PHILIPPINES, & SOUTH AFRICA BUT THEY ARE INCLUDED IN THOSE OF OTHER WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ... AS WELL AS CANADA. /PROPIONATES/

... /IT IS/ BACTERIOSTATIC AGAINST NUMBER OF GRAM-POSITIVE COCCI.

MOST ACTIVE AT ACID PH