Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA (CAS 139-33-3), also known as Na2H2EDTA and listed as E386 in food applications, is a chelating agent that binds and neutralizes metal ions in formulations and processes. By sequestering calcium, magnesium, iron, and other trace metals, it prevents discoloration, rancidity, and scale formation across a broad range of industries and finished products.

In personal care and cosmetic formulations, it stabilizes emulsions and preservative systems by removing metal ions that would otherwise accelerate oxidative degradation during the shelf life. Food manufacturers use it under the E386 designation to protect canned vegetables, dressings, and seafood products from metal-catalyzed color and flavor loss during storage and processing.

Water treatment and industrial cleaning operations rely on it to sequester hardness ions, improving detergent efficiency and preventing mineral deposits in various types of process equipment. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it functions as a stabilizer in liquid dosage forms and ophthalmic preparations where trace metal contamination must be tightly controlled for safety.

Disodium EDTA is supplied as a white crystalline powder or granules. Standard grades include food-grade, USP, BP, and Ph. Eur. specifications for pharmaceutical and regulated food applications. Technical grade is also available for industrial use. Bulk supply is available in bags and fiber drums, with packaging options suited to both formulation-scale and large industrial procurement.