Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012

Contents

E 456 potassium polyaspartate

Definition	Potassium polyaspartate is the potassium salt of polyaspartic acid, produced from L-aspartic acid and potassium hydroxide. The thermic process transforms the aspartic acid in polysuccinimide that is insoluble. Polysuccinimide is treated with potassium hydroxide allowing the opening of the ring and polymerisation of the units. The last step is the spray drying phase, which results in a light tan powder
CAS number	64723-18-8
Chemical name	L-aspartic acid, homopolymer, potassium salt
Chemical formula	[C₄H₄NO₃K]_n
Weight average molecular weight	Approximately 5300 g/mol
Assay	Not less than 98 % on dry weight basis
Particle size	Not less than 45 μm (not more than 1 % in weight of particles of less than 45 μm)
Description	A light brown odourless powder
Solubility	Very soluble in water and slightly soluble in organic solvents
pH	7,5-8,5 (40 % aqueous solution)
Degree of substitutions	Not less than 91,5 % on dry weight basis
Loss on drying	Not more than 11 % (105 °C,12 hours)
Potassium hydroxide	Not more than 2 %
Aspartic acid	Not more than 1 %
Other impurities	Not more than 0,1 %
Arsenic	Not more than 2,5 mg/kg
Lead	Not more than 1,5 mg/kg
Mercury	Not more than 0,5 mg/kg
Cadmium	Not more than 0,1 mg/kg