Tripotassium phosphate

Tripotassium phosphate (CAS 7778-53-2), also known as potassium phosphate tribasic and approved as E340iii, is a highly alkaline inorganic salt used in food, industrial, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Where is Tripotassium phosphate used?

• Food processing: pH adjuster and emulsifying salt in processed cheeses, meat products, and beverage formulations.
• Functions as a sequestrant in food.
• In processed meat it is used for water retention, texture improvement and as an emulsifier.
• Water treatment: scale inhibition.
• Boiler and cooling systems: sequestration of hardness minerals.
• Textile and paper processing: flame retardant treatment and pH modifier during fiber preparation.
• In pharmaceutical manufacturing it serves as a buffering excipient in liquid formulations and cleaning-in-place (CIP) solutions.

Formulation notes

• In dairy products the typical concentration is 0.1–0.5%.
• In beverages the typical concentration is 0.05–0.3%.
• In processed meat the typical concentration is 0.1–0.5%.
• In bakery the typical concentration is 0.1–0.3%.

Typical specification

• Food grade (E340iii) has a purity of at least 97.0% on dry basis.
• Food grade has a K2O content of at least 45.0%.
• Food grade has a fluoride content of at most 50 ppm.
• Food grade has a heavy metals content (as Pb) of at most 10 ppm.

Regulatory status

• In Türkiye it is approved in the Turkish Food Codex Food Additives Regulation.
• Has the INS number 340(iii).
• In the European Union it is approved as food additive E340(iii) with quantum satis use.
• Listed as an authorized indirect food additive in the FDA Inventory of Food Contact Substances under 21 CFR.

Frequently asked questions about Tripotassium phosphate

What are the typical physical forms and grades available?

It is supplied in granular and powder form; food and pharmaceutical applications use FCC, USP and Ph. grades.

What is the pH of tripotassium phosphate in solution?

Its pH is 11.9 at 25 °C in a 10 g/L solution.

Can tripotassium phosphate be substituted for monopotassium or dipotassium phosphate in an existing formulation?

It has a different pH profile from monopotassium phosphate and dipotassium phosphate, so the application and formulation requirements should be confirmed before selecting it.

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