Food safety and quality: details

Flavouring	Tartaric acid (+)-, (-)-, (+/-)-, meso-
Synonym(s)	2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid;alpha,beta-Dihydroxysuccinic acid
Latest JECFA evaluation	1999 (Session 53)
Status of specification	Full
Information required
Chemical name	2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid
JECFA number	621
CAS number	87-69-4
FEMA number	3044
COE number	18
FLAVIS number
Molecular weight	150.09
Chemical formula	C4H6O6
Physical form/odour	colourless or translucent crystals, or a white, fine to granular crystaline powder which is odourless with an acid taste
Solubility	soluble in water and alcohol; 1 gm in 0.8 ml water
Solubility in ethanol	1 g in 3 ml 95% alcohol
Boiling point (°C)	NA
Assay min %	99.7%
Acid value max
Refractive index	NA
Specific gravity	NA
Other requirements	Melting Pt.: 170°; Heavy Metals: max. 10 ppm: Loss on Drying: max. 0.5%; Oxalate: passes test; Residue on Ignition: max. 0.5%; Specific Rotation for (+)-isomer: +12.0 to +13.0° at 25°; Sulfate: passes test
ID Test	IR
Spectrum