Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate

PROPERTIES

Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate (TKPP) is in the form of colourless or white crystals, or a white crystalline or granular powder. It is a hydroscopic solid, soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol. TKPP has a higher solubility in water treatment formulations than sodium derivatives.

APPLICATIONS

FOOD

Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate is mainly used as an emulsifier, quality improver, metal ion chelating agent. It keeps the freshness, holds water and improves the quality of quick-frozen marine products. TKPP can be applied to prevent the struvite of canned seafoods and the discoloration of fruit products, to improve ice cream swelling rate or the taste of noodle and cake, and prevent the cheese aging. It is used as a pH buffer and as a dough conditioner in soy-based "meat alternatives", chicken nuggets and imitation crab and lobster products. Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate is a thickening agent in instant puddings.

AGRO

Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate can be found in herbicidal compositions as a spray adjuvant That adjuvant serves as both a plant nutrient and surface-active agent and functions synergistically with the herbicide to increase its level of absorption into plant tissues and to stimulate both the target and non-target plant species to growth responses for increased herbicide efficacy.

COSMETICS

Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate is classifed as a buffering, chelating and oral care agent. It is the "tartar control" agent which removes calcium and magnesium from the saliva, so they can not deposit on the teeth. It is mainly used in toothpastes and mouthwash formulations.

PAINTS

Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate is used as an anionic dispersant in water-based (latex) paints.

It removes a small amount of Fe 3 + in order to improve the quality of dyeing.

HOUSEHOLD

TKPP is a soap and detergent builder. It is a water softener and an emulsifier to suspend oils and prevent them from redepositing on clothing in the wash. As a water softener, it combines with magnesium to sequester it from the detergent, without precipitating it onto the clothing. As a detergent additive, it can also "reactivate" detergents or soaps that have combined with calcium to make an insoluble scum.  Because of the eutrophication of water it is seldom used as a detergent additive.

Other uses:

Applications in boiler descaling, mining of ore and clay, synthetic rubber production, oil-drilling muds, fabric printing.

Texturizer, metal cleaner, sequestering agent, tissue modifier, chelating agent in non-cyanide electroplating, dispersion agent for ceramic, clay, latex and pigments and stabilizer in bleaching leather products.