Sodium salicylate

Sodium salicylate (CAS 54-21-7) is the sodium salt of salicylic acid, used across pharmaceutical, personal care, and food applications as a preservative, antioxidant, and UV-stabilizing agent. Commercially recognized under names such as Salsonin and Alysine, it offers broad functional utility at relatively low use levels. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it serves as an intermediate in the synthesis of active ingredients.

It also acts as a stabilizer in topical and oral formulations. Personal care formulators incorporate it into sunscreen and UV-protective products, where it absorbs ultraviolet radiation to protect both the formulation and the skin. In food-contact and preservation applications, it functions as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent, extending shelf life in specific regulated contexts. It also appears in analytical and laboratory reagent applications.

Consistent purity is a key sourcing requirement for these technical uses. Sodium salicylate is supplied as a white crystalline powder or granules. Standard grades include USP, BP, and Ph. Eur. for pharmaceutical use. Technical grade material is also available for industrial applications. Food-grade material is available where regulatory compliance for food-contact or food-additive use is required for specific manufacturing processes.