Trisodium phosphate
Acidity Regulators
Emulsifiers
Thickeners
7601-54-9
E339
Na₃PO₄
$1.94 ~ $2.91
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/bag
One unit of:25kg/bag
25kg/bag
Product Info
What is Trisodium phosphate?
Trisodium phosphate is a highly alkaline inorganic salt used primarily in food processing as an emulsifying agent, stabilizing agent, and acidity regulator.
How is Trisodium phosphate made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw Material Dosing | Precisely meter food-grade Phosphoric Acid (H₃PO₄) and a sodium source (typically Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH) into a reaction vessel. | Crucial Molar Ratio: The ratio of NaOH to H₃PO₄ must be precisely maintained at 3:1 to ensure complete conversion to Trisodium Phosphate. Purity of raw materials must be verified. |
| 2 | Neutralization Reaction | React the phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide under constant agitation in a glass-lined or stainless steel reactor. | Monitor and control the reaction temperature, as the neutralization is highly exothermic. The reaction endpoint is verified by pH, which must be strongly alkaline (typically pH > 12). |
| 3 | Solution Concentration | Heat the resulting dilute trisodium phosphate solution in an evaporator to remove excess water and increase its concentration. | The process is controlled by monitoring the specific gravity (density) of the solution. Reaching the target concentration is critical for efficient crystallization. |
| 4 | Crystallization | Transfer the hot, concentrated solution to a crystallizer and cool it down under controlled conditions to form crystals. | The cooling rate is the primary control parameter. Slow, controlled cooling promotes the formation of uniform crystals, typically Trisodium Phosphate Dodecahydrate (Na₃PO₄·12H₂O). |
| 5 | Solid-Liquid Separation | Feed the crystal slurry into a centrifuge to separate the solid Trisodium Phosphate crystals from the remaining liquid (mother liquor). | Centrifuge speed and residence time are adjusted to maximize liquid removal. The mother liquor is often recycled back into the evaporator to improve overall process yield. |
| 6 | Drying | Gently dry the wet crystals in a rotary or fluid bed dryer using a stream of warm, filtered air. | Drying temperature must be carefully controlled to avoid melting the hydrated crystals or driving off the water of crystallization. Final moisture content must meet specifications. |
| 7 | Screening & Packaging | Pass the dried product through a sieve or screen to classify it by particle size and remove any oversized lumps. The final product is then weighed and packed. | Final Quality Control: Samples are taken for analysis to confirm assay (purity), P₂O₅ content, pH, and heavy metal limits before the batch is released. Packaging must be sealed to prevent moisture absorption. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 7601-54-9 |
| Chemical Formula | Na₃PO₄ |
| Solubility | 5.4 g/100 mL at 0 °C; 14.5 g/100 mL at 25 °C (anhydrous); insoluble in ethanol |
| Storage Conditions | store in cool, dry, airtight container |
| Shelf Life | 24 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
used in food for pH control
water retention in meat
texture improvement in cheese and cereals
also cleaning/flavoring agent
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Trisodium phosphate |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | pH Control Agent; Sequestrant; Emulsifying Agent; Texturizer |
| Key Ingredients | Trisodium Phosphate (Na₃PO₄) |
| Mechanism of Action | Hydrolyzes in water to produce a strongly alkaline solution, raising the pH of the food matrix to increase protein water-holding capacity. The phosphate anion chelates divalent and trivalent metal ions (e.g., Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺), preventing them from causing product degradation, discoloration, or texture defects. Acts as an emulsifying salt in processed cheese by displacing calcium from the casein network. |
| Application Effect in Product | Improves tenderness and moisture retention in processed meats and poultry. Prevents fat separation and provides smooth texture in processed cheese. Acts as an acidity regulator in cereals, sauces, and beverages. Stabilizes color and prevents oxidative rancidity by sequestering pro-oxidant metals. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trisodium phosphate | Inorganic Phosphate Cleaner | Highly alkaline (pH ~12), powerful degreaser and cleaner, etches surfaces. | Extremely effective on heavy grease, oil, and soot; inexpensive and powerful. | Environmentally harmful (phosphate causes eutrophication); highly caustic; banned in many regions for household use. | Heavy industrial degreasing; prepping very dirty or glossy surfaces for paint; masonry cleaning. | For maximum, uncompromising cleaning power where environmental and safety regulations permit its use. |
| Sodium Carbonate | Alkaline Cleaner | Moderately alkaline salt (soda ash), water softener, general-purpose degreaser. | Much safer for the environment (phosphate-free); less caustic than TSP; widely available. | Significantly less powerful than TSP for heavy-duty grease removal or paint deglossing. | General household cleaning, laundry booster, light degreasing tasks. | For a more eco-friendly and safer alternative when the extreme power of TSP is not required. |
| Sodium Metasilicate | Silicate-based Cleaner | Highly alkaline, powerful degreaser, corrosion inhibitor on some metals. | Cleaning power is comparable to TSP without the phosphate; very effective on oils and grime. | Extremely caustic and can cause severe chemical burns; can damage glass and aluminum. | Industrial degreasing, concrete cleaning, paint stripping, key ingredient in TSP substitutes. | When you need TSP-level strength for degreasing but must avoid phosphates. |
| Sodium Percarbonate | Oxygen-based Cleaner | Releases hydrogen peroxide and soda ash in water; cleans and bleaches organic stains. | Environmentally safe (breaks down into oxygen, water, soda ash); effective mildew and algae remover; color-safe on many surfaces. | Not as effective on heavy petroleum-based grease or for etching surfaces. | Cleaning decks, siding, and roofs; removing organic stains (mildew, algae, wine); laundry whitening. | For powerful cleaning focused on organic stains and mildew with a much better environmental and safety profile. |
| Phosphate-Free TSP Substitute | Blended Alkaline Cleaner | Proprietary mix, often sodium carbonate and silicates, designed to mimic TSP performance. | Formulated as a direct replacement for paint prep; complies with phosphate bans. | Performance can be inconsistent between brands; still a very caustic and hazardous chemical. | Pre-paint cleaning and deglossing; heavy-duty cleaning in regions where TSP is banned. | To achieve cleaning results similar to TSP for paint preparation while adhering to local regulations. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
Technical dossier available
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
SDS available
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications