Dipotassium Phosphate (K₂HPO₄) FCC Grade | Food Grade Buffer & Emulsifier
Dipotassium Phosphate (K₂HPO₄) FCC
Food-Grade Phosphate for Buffering & Formulation
Catalog: ASC-8040 | CAS: 7758-11-4 | Formula: K₂HPO₄ | MW: 174.18 g/mol | HS: 2835.24.00
Overview
Dipotassium Phosphate (K₂HPO₄), FCC is a high-purity, water-soluble inorganic phosphate supplied at food chemical grade (FCC — Food Chemicals Codex). It is widely used as a buffering agent, stabilizer, emulsifier component, and nutrient source in food processing, beverage production, fermentation systems, culture media preparation, and industrial formulations.
Its strong buffering capacity in the alkaline range (pH 8.5–9.6 at 1% solution) and high aqueous solubility make it ideal for controlled-pH environments requiring consistent process performance. The FCC grade ensures compliance with internationally recognised food chemical standards.
Product Identification
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Dipotassium Phosphate |
| Chemical Name | Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate |
| Synonyms | Potassium phosphate dibasic; Dibasic potassium phosphate; Potassium monohydrogen phosphate; DKP |
| Molecular Formula | K₂HPO₄ |
| Molecular Weight | 174.18 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 7758-11-4 |
| EINECS Number | 231-834-5 |
| Grade | FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or granules |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water |
| HS / AHECC Code | 2835.24.00 — Potassium phosphates |
| Catalogue Number | ASC-8040 |
Key Functional Properties
Buffering Performance
- Effective pH buffer in the alkaline range (pH ~7–9.6)
- High buffer capacity — resists pH drift in dynamic systems
- Compatible with phosphate-citrate, phosphate-acetate, and PBS buffer systems
Solubility & Stability
- Freely soluble in water — rapid dissolution at ambient temperature
- Chemically stable under recommended storage conditions
- Non-hygroscopic under low-humidity conditions
Food & Fermentation Compatibility
- FCC-compliant — suitable for food contact and food processing applications
- Provides phosphate (essential macronutrient) and potassium in fermentation media
- Used in dairy emulsification, beverage stabilisation, and mineral fortification
Supply & Quality
- Packed and supplied in Melbourne — fast local dispatch
- Batch-specific COA available for every lot
- Full SDS and TDS documentation on request
Typical Applications
| Sector | Application |
|---|---|
| Food & Beverage | pH buffering in processed foods; emulsifying salt in dairy (processed cheese, cream); beverage formulation stabilisation; mineral fortification |
| Fermentation & Biotechnology | Phosphate and potassium nutrient source in microbial fermentation media; buffer component in culture media (e.g. M9 minimal medium, MacConkey, MRS Broth); industrial fermentation processes |
| Laboratory Use | Buffer preparation (phosphate buffered saline — PBS; phosphate buffer pH 7.4–9.0); process development; analytical chemistry |
| Industrial | Chemical manufacturing formulations; water treatment; flame retardant formulations; textile processing |
Chemical & Functional Principle
Dipotassium Phosphate is the dibasic salt of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), formed by neutralisation with two equivalents of potassium hydroxide. In aqueous solution it dissociates to K⁺ and HPO₄²⁻ ions. The HPO₄²⁻/H₂PO₄⁻ conjugate pair provides buffering capacity around pH 7.2 (pKa₂ = 7.20 at 25°C), making K₂HPO₄ a primary component of most phosphate buffer systems.
In fermentation and culture media, the phosphate anion serves as an essential macronutrient for microbial ATP synthesis, nucleic acid biosynthesis, and phospholipid membrane assembly. Potassium (K⁺) is a key intracellular cation required for enzyme activation and osmotic balance.
Dipotassium vs Monopotassium Phosphate — Which to Use?
| Property | Dipotassium Phosphate K₂HPO₄ (ASC-8040) | Monopotassium Phosphate KH₂PO₄ |
|---|---|---|
| pKa reference | pKa₂ = 7.20 (HPO₄²⁻/H₂PO₄⁻) | pKa₁ = 2.15 (H₂PO₄⁻/H₃PO₄) |
| pH in solution | Alkaline (1% solution pH 8.5–9.6) | Acidic (1% solution pH ~4.4–4.8) |
| Best for | Alkaline buffers, PBS (with NaCl), fermentation media | Acidic buffers, HPLC mobile phases |
| Used together | K₂HPO₄ + KH₂PO₄ mixtures give precise pH control from 5.8–8.0 | |
Storage & Shelf Life
- Store at 15–30°C in a cool, dry environment
- Keep container tightly sealed — protect from moisture and humidity (product is hygroscopic at high RH)
- Avoid storage near strong acids or oxidising agents
- Shelf life: stated on label; typically 3–5 years under recommended conditions
Regulatory & Intended Use
- FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) grade — compliant with food chemical standards
- Suitable for food processing, fermentation, industrial, and laboratory applications
- Not intended for pharmaceutical, therapeutic, injectable, or medical use unless separately qualified
Technical Overview & Biochemistry
Phosphate is one of the most critical inorganic nutrients in biological systems. Dipotassium phosphate contributes HPO₄²⁻ — the primary form of inorganic phosphate at physiological and near-physiological pH — which participates directly in ATP/ADP interconversion (energy currency of cells), nucleic acid backbone synthesis, phospholipid bilayer assembly, and signal transduction cascades. In fermentation systems, phosphate availability directly controls growth rate and product yield. Its depletion is one of the most common causes of fermentation failure in scale-up processes.
Cross-Reference / Equivalent Products
| Brand | Product Name | Catalogue Number |
|---|---|---|
| Sigma-Aldrich (Merck) | Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, ≥98% | P3786 / 60356 |
| Thermo Fisher | Dipotassium Phosphate, FCC | — |
| Chem-Supply (AU) | Potassium Phosphate Dibasic | PA042 |
| Ajax Finechem | Dipotassium Hydrogen Orthophosphate | A330 |
| AuSaMicS | Dipotassium Phosphate, FCC | ASC-8040 |
Intent-Based Long-Tail Search Queries
- buy dipotassium phosphate Australia food grade
- K2HPO4 FCC grade supplier Melbourne
- potassium phosphate dibasic buffer preparation lab
- dipotassium hydrogen phosphate fermentation media
- K2HPO4 CAS 7758-11-4 local supplier Australia
- dibasic potassium phosphate culture media component
- food grade phosphate buffer ingredient Australia
Technical Data Sheet — ASC-8040
The Technical Data Sheet for Dipotassium Phosphate (K₂HPO₄), FCC (ASC-8040) covers physicochemical specifications, quality parameters, mode of action, and literature references in accordance with AuSaMicS TDS Option 2 documentation standards.
Chemical Identity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | K₂HPO₄ |
| Molecular Weight | 174.18 g/mol |
| IUPAC Name | Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate |
| CAS Number | 7758-11-4 |
| EINECS Number | 231-834-5 |
| pKa₂ (H₂PO₄⁻ / HPO₄²⁻) | 7.20 at 25°C |
| pKa₃ (HPO₄²⁻ / PO₄³⁻) | 12.35 at 25°C |
| Buffering range | pH 5.8–9.0 (most effective 6.5–8.5) |
Physicochemical Specifications (FCC Grade)
| Parameter | Specification | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Assay (as K₂HPO₄, anhydrous) | ≥ 98.0% | Titrimetric / ICP |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or granules | Visual |
| pH (1% w/v solution, 25°C) | 8.5 – 9.6 | Potentiometric |
| Loss on Drying (105°C, 1 hr) | ≤ 2.0% | Gravimetric |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 ppm | ICP-OES |
| Insoluble Matter | ≤ 0.2% | Gravimetric filtration |
| Chloride (as Cl⁻) | ≤ 200 ppm | Argentometric |
| Sulfate (as SO₄²⁻) | ≤ 300 ppm | Turbidimetric |
| Arsenic (as As) | ≤ 3 ppm | ICP-OES |
| Fluoride (as F⁻) | ≤ 10 ppm | Ion-selective electrode |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water; practically insoluble in ethanol | Visual |
| Storage temperature | 15–30°C, dry, sealed | — |
Buffer Preparation Reference
| Buffer System | Components | pH Range | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphate Buffer (PB) | K₂HPO₄ + KH₂PO₄ | 5.8–8.0 | Biochemistry, cell culture, enzyme assays |
| Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) | K₂HPO₄ + KH₂PO₄ + NaCl + KCl | 7.2–7.4 | Cell biology, immunology, buffer washes |
| M9 Minimal Medium | K₂HPO₄ + KH₂PO₄ + NaCl + NH₄Cl | 7.0 | E. coli genetics, recombinant protein |
| Sørensen's Buffer | K₂HPO₄ + KH₂PO₄ | 5.4–8.2 | Histology, staining protocols |
Mode of Action
In aqueous solution, K₂HPO₄ fully dissociates to provide K⁺ cations and HPO₄²⁻ anions. The buffering action operates via the HPO₄²⁻ / H₂PO₄⁻ conjugate acid-base pair (pKa₂ = 7.20), which resists pH change by consuming added acid (H⁺ + HPO₄²⁻ → H₂PO₄⁻) or base (OH⁻ + H₂PO₄⁻ → HPO₄²⁻ + H₂O). In microbiological and fermentation applications, phosphate also acts as the primary inorganic phosphorus source for biosynthesis of ATP, DNA, RNA, and phospholipids. Potassium (K⁺) serves as the dominant intracellular cation, essential for ribosome function and a range of enzyme activations.
Literature References
- Sambrook, J., & Russell, D.W. (2001). Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (3rd ed.). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. [PBS and phosphate buffer formulations]
- Food Chemicals Codex (FCC), 13th Edition. US Pharmacopeia. Monograph: Dipotassium Phosphate.
- Gomori, G. (1955). Preparation of buffers for use in enzyme studies. Methods in Enzymology, 1, 138–146.
- Garrett, R.H., & Grisham, C.M. (2016). Biochemistry (6th ed.). Cengage Learning. [Phosphate in cellular biochemistry]
Full TDS document (five-file AuSaMicS documentation set: PD, TDS, SDS, COA + HTML embed) available as downloadable PDF.
Safety Data Sheet — Summary (ASC-8040)
Full 16-section SDS prepared in accordance with the GHS (7th Revised Edition) and Australian WHS Regulations (Safe Work Australia).
| Section | Summary |
|---|---|
| 1. Identification | Dipotassium Phosphate (K₂HPO₄), FCC, ASC-8040. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd, 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074. support@ausamics.com | +61 412 520 598. Emergency: Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26. |
| 2. Hazard Identification | Not classified as hazardous under Australian WHS Regulations / GHS at normal use concentrations. Concentrated solutions are mildly alkaline — exercise caution with eye and skin contact. No GHS hazard pictograms required for powder/solid form. |
| 3. Composition | Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K₂HPO₄), CAS 7758-11-4, ≥98.0% purity. Minor impurities: sodium chloride, sulfates — all below threshold limits. |
| 4. First Aid | Inhalation: move to fresh air. Skin: wash with water. Eyes: flush with copious water 15 min — seek medical attention (alkaline solutions can irritate eyes). Ingestion: rinse mouth, drink water; seek medical advice if large quantity ingested. |
| 5. Fire Fighting | Not flammable. Use extinguishing agents appropriate to surroundings. Thermal decomposition may yield phosphorus oxides (POₓ) and potassium oxides. |
| 6. Accidental Release | Avoid dust generation. Sweep or vacuum carefully. Collect in sealed, labelled container. Avoid release to waterways — high phosphate concentrations contribute to eutrophication. |
| 7. Handling & Storage | Handle in well-ventilated area. Avoid dust inhalation and eye contact with powder or concentrated solutions. Store at 15–30°C, dry, tightly sealed. Protect from moisture (hygroscopic at high humidity). Keep away from strong acids. |
| 8. Exposure Controls / PPE | Nitrile gloves; safety spectacles (especially when handling concentrated solutions). Lab coat. No specific OEL established. Apply general inhalable dust limit (10 mg/m³). |
| 9. Physical & Chemical Properties | White crystalline powder. Odourless. Freely water-soluble. MW 174.18 g/mol. pH (1%): 8.5–9.6. Melting point: 340°C (decomposes). Not flammable, not explosive, not oxidising. |
| 10. Stability & Reactivity | Stable under recommended conditions. Avoid strong acids (evolves phosphoric acid mist) and strong oxidising agents. Hygroscopic at high relative humidity — decomposes slowly to potassium metaphosphate on prolonged heating. |
| 11. Toxicological Info | Low acute toxicity by oral, dermal, and inhalation routes at typical use concentrations. Concentrated solutions are mildly alkaline and may irritate skin and eyes. No evidence of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive toxicity at food-use levels. |
| 12. Ecological Info | Phosphate is a plant macronutrient. Large-scale release to waterways contributes to eutrophication and algal bloom formation. Avoid bulk discharge to drains or natural water bodies. Biodegradable. |
| 13. Disposal | Small quantities: dilute with water and dispose via drain (check local council and EPA regulations). Larger quantities: dispose as non-hazardous waste per VIC EPA guidelines. Do not discharge concentrated solutions to surface water. |
| 14. Transport | Not classified as dangerous goods under ADG, IATA, or IMDG. No UN Number applicable. No special transport requirements. |
| 15. Regulatory | FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) grade. Compliant with Australian WHS Regulations and GHS Rev. 7. HS Code: 2835.24.00. Permitted food additive / processing aid in Australia (FSANZ) and internationally. E-number: E340(ii) in EU food applications. |
| 16. Other Information | SDS Ref: SDS-ASC-8040-DKP. Issue Date: January 2026. Prepared by Hassan Salimi, AuSaMicS Pty Ltd. Next review: January 2028. |
Full 16-section GHS-compliant SDS available as downloadable PDF.
Certificate of Analysis — ASC-8040
Each batch of Dipotassium Phosphate (K₂HPO₄), FCC (ASC-8040) is released with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis confirming compliance with AuSaMicS quality specifications and FCC grade requirements.
Typical COA — Analytical Results
| Test Parameter | Specification | Method | Typical Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assay (as K₂HPO₄, anhydrous) | ≥ 98.0% | Titrimetric / ICP | Conforms |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or granules | Visual | Conforms |
| pH (1% w/v, 25°C) | 8.5 – 9.6 | Potentiometric | Conforms |
| Loss on Drying (105°C, 1 hr) | ≤ 2.0% | Gravimetric | Conforms |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 ppm | ICP-OES | Conforms |
| Insoluble Matter | ≤ 0.2% | Gravimetric | Conforms |
| Chloride (as Cl⁻) | ≤ 200 ppm | Argentometric | Conforms |
| Sulfate (as SO₄²⁻) | ≤ 300 ppm | Turbidimetric | Conforms |
| Arsenic (as As) | ≤ 3 ppm | ICP-OES | Conforms |
| Fluoride (as F⁻) | ≤ 10 ppm | ISE | Conforms |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water | Visual | Conforms |
Batch Traceability
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Dipotassium Phosphate (K₂HPO₄), FCC |
| Catalogue Number | ASC-8040 |
| Manufacturer / Packer | AuSaMicS Pty Ltd, 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia |
| Batch Number | Stated on label |
| Manufacturing Date | Stated on label |
| Expiry Date | Stated on label (typically 3–5 years from manufacture) |
| Storage Conditions | 15–30°C, dry, sealed, away from moisture |
| Grade | FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) |
| Intended Use | Food processing, fermentation, laboratory, and industrial applications |
Batch-specific COA issued at time of dispatch. Available as downloadable PDF or on request.
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd | 31 Longview CT, Thomastown, VIC 3074, Australia | ABN: 56 676 640 467 | www.ausamics.com.au | support@ausamics.com | +61 412 520 598
All products manufactured and packed under quality-controlled conditions. Specifications subject to change without notice. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd accepts no liability for misuse outside the intended application.