Dipotassium phosphate (K2HPO4) (also dipotassium hydrogen orthophosphate; potassium phosphate dibasic) is the inorganic compound with the formula K2HPO4.(H2O)x (x = 0, 3, 6). Together with monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4.(H2O)x), it is often used as a fertilizer, food additive, and buffering agent.[1] It is a white or colorless solid that is soluble in water.

It is produced commercially by partial neutralization of phosphoric acid with two equivalents of potassium chloride:[1]

H3PO4 + 2 KCl → K2HPO4 + 2 HCl

Uses

As a food additive, dipotassium phosphate is used in imitation dairy creamers, dry powder beverages, mineral supplements, and starter cultures.[2] It functions as an emulsifier, stabilizer and texturizer; it also is a buffering agent, and chelating agent especially for the calcium in milk products..[3]

As a food additive, dipotassium phosphate is generally recognized as safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Klaus Schrödter; Gerhard Bettermann; Thomas Staffel; Friedrich Wahl; Thomas Klein; Thomas Hofmann (2012). "Phosphoric Acid and Phosphates". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a19_465.pub3. ISBN 978-3527306732.
  2. ^ John H. Thorngate III; Seppo Salminen; Larry A. Branen; Michael P. Davidson, eds. (2001). "Food Phosphates". Food Additives. Food Science and Technology. Vol. 116. CRC Press. doi:10.1201/9780824741709.ch25. ISBN 978-0-8247-9343-2.
  3. ^ "What is dipotassium phosphate?". 30 April 2018. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  4. ^ "Database of Select Committee on GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Reviews". Archived from the original on 2007-05-21. Retrieved 2008-03-22. (listed as "potassium phosphate, dibasic")