Magnesium sulfate

Magnesium sulfate (CAS 7487-88-9), commonly known as Epsom salt and approved as food additive E518, is an inorganic mineral salt.

Where is Magnesium sulfate used?

• Agriculture: corrects magnesium and sulfur deficiencies in soil and foliar spray programs
• Food and beverage: firming agent and magnesium fortification source in tofu and brewing water adjustment
• Mineral-enriched beverages
• Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical: active ingredient in laxative preparations and electrolyte formulations
• Personal care: functional bath soak ingredient and cosmetic formulations where ionic mineral content affects texture and stability
• It functions primarily as a nutrient source, processing aid, and stabilizer depending on the application sector.
• Feed additive formulations as a magnesium source.
• Textile finishing processes.

Good to know: The heptahydrate form is the most commercially prevalent. Pharmaceutical and food grades carry tighter purity and heavy metal specifications.

Formulation notes

• Does not significantly change soil pH when used as a magnesium source.

Typical specification

• Contains 32% water-soluble SO3.
• Monohydrate kieserite (MgSO4·H2O) is a lower-water form found in salt deposits.
• One gram is equivalent to 4 mmol, 8 mEq, or 98 mg of elemental magnesium.

Regulatory status

• Has ATC code B05XA05 and belongs to the pharmacotherapeutic class of electrolyte solutions/magnesium sulfate.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be stored in a cool, ventilated, and moisture-free environment in closed packaging.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.