Sodium erythorbate

Sodium erythorbate[1]
IUPAC name Sodium 5-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-3-hydroxy-4-oxofuran-2-olate
Other names D-Isoascorbate; Erythorbic acid, sodium salt; E316
Identifiers
CAS number	6381-77-7 Y
ChemSpider	16736142 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:51438 Y
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES OC=1[C@H](OC(=O)C=1O)[C@H](O)CO
InChI InChI=1S/C6H8O6/c7-1-2(8)5-3(9)4(10)6(11)12-5/h2,5,7-10H,1H2/t2-,5-/m1/s1 Y Key: CIWBSHSKHKDKBQ-DUZGATOHSA-N Y InChI=1/C6H8O6/c7-1-2(8)5-3(9)4(10)6(11)12-5/h2,5,7-10H,1H2/t2-,5-/m1/s1 Key: CIWBSHSKHKDKBQ-DUZGATOHBV
Properties
Molecular formula	C6H7NaO6
Molar mass	198.11 g/mol
Appearance	White crystalline solid
Melting point	168-170 °C
Solubility in water	16 g/100 ml
Y erythorbate (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Sodium erythorbate (C₆H₇NaO₆) is a food additive used predominantly in meats, poultry, and soft drinks. Chemically, it is the sodium salt of erythorbic acid. Sodium Erythorbate is structurally related to Vitamin C and is a antioxidant. When used in processed meat such as hot dogs and beef sticks, it increases the rate at which nitrate reduces to nitric oxide, thus facilitating a faster cure and retaining the pink coloring. As an antioxidant structurally related to vitamin C, it helps improve flavor stability and prevents the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. When used as a food additive, its E number is E316.^[2] The use of erythorbic acid and sodium erythorbate as a food preservative has increased greatly since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of sulfites as preservatives in foods intended to be eaten fresh (such as ingredients for fresh salads) and as food processors have responded to the fact that some people are allergic to sulfites.^[3]

Sodium erythorbate is produced from sugars derived from different sources, such as beets, sugar cane, and corn.^{[4][dead link][5]} An urban myth claims that sodium erythorbate is made from ground earthworms; however, there is no truth to the myth.^[6] It is thought that the genesis of the legend comes from the similarity of the chemical name to the words earthworm and bait.^[6]

References

1. ^ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 5009.
2. ^ Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers, Food Standards Agency
3. ^ Hui YH. Handbook of Food Science, Technology and Engineering. CRC Press, 2006, ISBN 0849398487, p. 83-32
4. ^ "Sodium Erythorbate". PMP Fermentation Products, Inc.. http://www.pmpinc.com/products/SodiumErythorbate.asp. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
5. ^ "Sodium Erythorbate (Archive Copy - Original not available?)". PMP Fermentation Products, Inc.. http://web.archive.org/web/20100111071932/http://www.pmpinc.com/Products/SodiumErythorbate.asp. Retrieved 2011-10-23. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Sodium Erythorbate - is it an earthworm?, Oregon Department of Agriculture