L(+)-TARTARIC ACID

Prepared at the 53rd JECFA (1999) and published in FNP 52 Add 7 (1999), superseding specifications prepared at the 21st JECFA (1977), published in NMRS 57 (1977) and in FNP 52 (1992). ADI 0-30 mg/kg bw, established at the 21st JECFA in 1977.

SYNONYMS

INS No. 334

DEFINITION

Chemical names

L-Tartaric acid, L-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid, L-2,3-dihydroxysuccinic acid

C.A.S. number

87-69-4

Chemical formula

C₄H₆O₆

Structural formula

Formula weight

150.09

Assay

Not less than 99.5% on the dried basis

DESCRIPTION

Colourless or translucent crystals, or white, fine to granular, crystalline powder; odourless

FUNCTIONAL USES

Synergist for antioxidants, acid, sequestrant, flavouring agent (see "Table of specifications of flavouring agents")

CHARACTERISTICS

IDENTIFICATION

Solubility (FNP 5)

Very soluble in water; freely soluble in ethanol

Specific rotation (FNP 5)

A 1 in 10 solution is dextrorotatory

Test for tartrate (FNP 5)

Passes test

PURITY

Loss on drying (FNP 5)

Not more than 0.5% (over P₂O₅, 3 h)

Specific rotation (FNP 5)

[] 20, D: Between +11.5� and +13.5�

Sulfated ash (FNP 5)

Not more than 0.1%
Test 2 g of the sample (Method I)

Sulfates (FNP 5)

Not more than 0.05%
0.4 g of the sample meets the requirements of the Limit Test using 0.2 mg of sulfate ion (SO₄) in the control

Oxalate

Nearly neutralize 10 ml of a 1 in 10 solution of the sample with ammonia TS, and add 10 ml of calcium sulfate TS. No turbidity is produced

Lead (FNP 5)

Not more than 2 mg/kg
Prepare a sample solution as directed for organic compounds in the Limit Test and determine the lead content by atomic absorption spectroscopy (FNP 5).

METHOD OF ASSAY

Weigh accurately about 2 g of the dried sample, dissolve in 40 ml of water, add phenolphthalein TS, and titrate with 1 N sodium hydroxide. Each ml of 1 N sodium hydroxide is equivalent to 75.04 mg of C₄H₆O₆.

	Prepared at the 53rd JECFA (1999) and published in FNP 52 Add 7 (1999), superseding specifications prepared at the 21st JECFA (1977), published in NMRS 57 (1977) and in FNP 52 (1992). ADI 0-30 mg/kg bw, established at the 21st JECFA in 1977.
SYNONYMS	INS No. 334
DEFINITION
Chemical names	L-Tartaric acid, L-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid, L-2,3-dihydroxysuccinic acid
C.A.S. number	87-69-4
Chemical formula	C₄H₆O₆
Structural formula
Formula weight	150.09
Assay	Not less than 99.5% on the dried basis
DESCRIPTION	Colourless or translucent crystals, or white, fine to granular, crystalline powder; odourless
FUNCTIONAL USES	Synergist for antioxidants, acid, sequestrant, flavouring agent (see "Table of specifications of flavouring agents")
CHARACTERISTICS
IDENTIFICATION
Solubility (FNP 5)	Very soluble in water; freely soluble in ethanol
Specific rotation (FNP 5)	A 1 in 10 solution is dextrorotatory
Test for tartrate (FNP 5)	Passes test
PURITY
Loss on drying (FNP 5)	Not more than 0.5% (over P₂O₅, 3 h)
Specific rotation (FNP 5)	[] 20, D: Between +11.5� and +13.5�
Sulfated ash (FNP 5)	Not more than 0.1% Test 2 g of the sample (Method I)
Sulfates (FNP 5)	Not more than 0.05% 0.4 g of the sample meets the requirements of the Limit Test using 0.2 mg of sulfate ion (SO₄) in the control
Oxalate	Nearly neutralize 10 ml of a 1 in 10 solution of the sample with ammonia TS, and add 10 ml of calcium sulfate TS. No turbidity is produced
Lead (FNP 5)	Not more than 2 mg/kg Prepare a sample solution as directed for organic compounds in the Limit Test and determine the lead content by atomic absorption spectroscopy (FNP 5).
METHOD OF ASSAY	Weigh accurately about 2 g of the dried sample, dissolve in 40 ml of water, add phenolphthalein TS, and titrate with 1 N sodium hydroxide. Each ml of 1 N sodium hydroxide is equivalent to 75.04 mg of C₄H₆O₆.