Sodium Propyl Paraben · Water-Soluble Paraben Preservative for Food, Beverage & Personal Care

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: Sodium 4-hydroxybenzoate, propyl ester (sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoate), commonly referred to as sodium propyl paraben.
• Structure: p-hydroxybenzoic acid propyl ester neutralised with sodium, giving a water-soluble sodium salt with paraben preservative properties.
• Form: typically a white to off-white crystalline powder or small granules, odourless or almost odourless, with a slightly bitter taste at higher concentrations.
• Solubility:
  • Highly soluble in water compared to undissociated propyl paraben, facilitating direct use in many aqueous systems,
  • Also soluble in polar organic solvents (e.g. ethanol, propylene glycol) for premix preparation.
• Stability:
  • Good stability in solid form when stored in closed containers under cool, dry conditions,
  • Most effective in products with acidic to mildly acidic pH; hydrolysis and reduced efficacy may occur at higher pH values.
• Functional role:
  • Acts primarily as an antimicrobial preservative with strong anti-yeast and anti-mould activity,
  • Commonly used alongside methyl paraben, sodium methyl paraben and other preservatives to extend the antimicrobial spectrum and provide robust, multi-hurdle preservation.
• Regulatory status:
  • Authorised uses, maximum levels, age restrictions and combination rules differ by region and product type,
  • In some markets and applications, sodium propyl paraben use may be restricted, limited to particular categories or no longer permitted; customers must verify current regulations.

Atlas supports customers in evaluating technical suitability and preservative system design for sodium propyl paraben, while manufacturers confirm regulatory status, safety and labelling in their target markets.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are agreed per grade (food, pharma or cosmetic) and supplier. Typical sodium propyl paraben parameters include:

• Assay: generally around 99.0–100.5% sodium propyl paraben on dried basis, in line with compendial or internal standards.
• Identification tests: confirm p-hydroxybenzoate structure and sodium salt using IR, UV, sodium tests and other analytical methods.
• Appearance: white to off-white crystalline powder, free from visible impurities.
• pH (in solution): defined within a specified range when dissolved in water, ensuring consistent quality and performance.
• Related substances & impurities: kept within pharmacopeial or internal impurity limits.
• Heavy metals & selected elements: restricted to levels compliant with food, pharma or cosmetic legislation.
• Residual solvents: controlled to meet ICH or equivalent guidelines, depending on grade.
• Microbiological quality: low counts suitable for food, nutraceutical and personal care applications.
• Loss on drying: limited to protect assay stability and flow properties.
• Packaging & labelling: supplied with batch number, production date, shelf life and recommended storage conditions.

Each lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO and allergen statements, country of origin, residual solvent declarations, contaminant data, cosmetic/food compliance statements, Halal/Kosher certificates, toxicological summaries) can be provided according to target markets and customer needs.

Food & beverage applications*

• Syrups, cordials & flavoured concentrates* – used at low ppm levels to help protect sugar-rich, acidic syrups and concentrates from yeast and mould spoilage, where permitted.
• Liquid supplements & nutraceutical drinks* – suitable for vitamin/mineral or botanical syrups, in combination with other preservatives, subject to regulations.
• High-moisture fillings & desserts* – selected use in fruit fillings, dessert sauces and toppings, where paraben preservatives are authorised and dose-controlled.

*Food uses depend on local additive legislation, including authorised categories, maximum levels and labelling rules. In many markets, sodium propyl paraben applications in foods are restricted or no longer permitted; customers must verify current regulations.

Nutraceutical & pharmaceutical applications*

• Oral liquids & syrups* – used with sodium methyl paraben, methyl paraben or other preservatives to maintain microbiological quality of oral pharmaceutical syrups and liquid supplements.
• Suspensions & semi-solids* – may be included in oral suspensions, gels and topical formulations, following pharmacopeial guidance and marketing authorisations.

*Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical use is governed by pharmacopeial standards, marketing authorisations, product-specific risk assessments and stability data.

Personal care & cosmetics*

• Skin care & body care* – creams, lotions, gels and serums where water-soluble parabens form part of the preservative system, used within regulatory limits.
• Hair care & toiletry products* – shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps and shower gels that require robust microbial protection over their shelf life.

*Cosmetic regulations specify permitted concentrations, product-type restrictions and combined paraben limits. Some brands or regions may limit or avoid sodium propyl paraben due to regulatory guidance or consumer perception.

Formulation guidance

• Dosage & regulatory limits:
  • Use levels are typically in the low ppm range (e.g. 0.02–0.2% depending on matrix, pH, co-preservatives and local limits),
  • Combined levels of parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc.) are often regulated; formulators must check jurisdiction-specific rules and safety assessments.
• Addition strategy:
  • Thanks to its good water solubility, sodium propyl paraben can usually be added directly to the aqueous phase,
  • Pre-dissolution in warm water or suitable co-solvents can further simplify dosing and mixing.
• pH & co-preservatives:
  • Preservative efficacy is highly dependent on pH and water activity; best performance is often in acidic formulations,
  • Commonly combined with sodium methyl paraben, sorbates, benzoates, organic acids, chelating agents and other technologies to build a multi-hurdle system.
• Sensory & compatibility:
  • At appropriate levels, sodium propyl paraben has limited effect on taste, odour and colour,
  • Compatibility with emulsifiers, surfactants, thickeners, active ingredients and packaging materials should be verified during development and stability studies.
• Market & consumer expectations:
  • Parabens, including sodium propyl paraben, are the subject of ongoing scientific and regulatory review,
  • Brand owners may choose between paraben-containing and paraben-free systems depending on scientific assessment, regulatory framework and consumer perception.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food, pharma or cosmetic-grade sodium propyl paraben depending on project needs, with specifications covering assay, identity, impurities, residual solvents, heavy metals and microbiological quality.
• Each batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet describing key parameters and analytical methods.
• Additional documentation can include GMO and allergen statements, country-of-origin information, residual solvent declarations, contaminant data (e.g. heavy metals, dioxins/PCBs, mycotoxins where relevant), cosmetic/food compliance statements, toxicological summaries and Halal/Kosher certificates.
• Production facilities generally operate under recognised ISO, GMP or food safety standards; certificates and audit support can be provided on request.
• Customers remain responsible for confirming local regulatory status, authorised uses, maximum permitted levels, safety assessments, labelling and marketing/health claims in each destination market and product category.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: usually 25 kg fibre drums or cartons with inner liners to protect against moisture and contamination. Special pack sizes may be considered for specific sectors.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads together with other antioxidants, preservatives, acidulants, sweeteners, vitamins, proteins and functional ingredients from the Atlas portfolio.
• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place in tightly closed containers, away from heat, direct sunlight and strong oxidising agents to maintain assay and physical quality.
• Typical shelf life is defined on the product specification and COA; customers should validate stability, preservative efficacy and sensory impact in their finished products and packaging formats.
• Shipments can be organised under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored quotation, please share your intended applications (food, beverage, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, personal care), product formats (liquid, semi-solid, solid), pH and water activity ranges, target shelf life, preferred co-preservatives, annual volume, packaging requirements, and documentation/certification needs (e.g. cosmetic/food regulations, Halal, Kosher, non-GMO, specific contaminant limits), as well as your destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable sodium propyl paraben grades and preservation system concepts to support your projects from development to commercial scale.