Potassium Bitartrate

Description

L (+)-Potassium hydrogen tartrate (also known as potassium bitartrate) is the potassiumacid salt of tartaric acid (a carboxylic acid). It is the byproduct during the winemaking process. It can be used in baking or as a cleaning solution. When mixed with an acidic liquid such as lemon juice or white vinegar, it can be made of a paste-like cleaning agent for metals or some other cleaning applications. It can also be used as a pH buffer component in chemistry. It has been recently shown that it is capable of treating breast cancer.

Approved by the FDA as a direct food substance, potassium bitartrate is used as an additive, stabilizer, pH control agent, antimicrobial agent, processing aid, or thickener in various food products. Potassium bitartrate has a long history of medical use as a laxative administered as a rectal suppository and is an approved third-class OTC drug in Japan. Potassium bitartrate was one of active ingredients in Phexxi, a non-hormonal contraceptive agent that was approved by the FDA on May 2020.

The Uses of Potassium Bitartrate

Largely in baking powders; coloring metals, galvanic tinning of metals; reducer of CrO3 in mordants for wool.