ANNEX I

E 219 SODIUM METHYL p-HYDROXYBENZOATE

Definition

Chemical name

Sodium methyl p-hydroxybenzoate

Sodium compound of the methylester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid

Chemical formula

C8H7O3Na

Molecular weight

174,15

Assay

Content not less than 99,5 % on the anhydrous basis

Description

White, hygroscopic powder

Identification

A.

The white precipitate formed by acidifying with hydrochloric acid a 10 % (w/v) aqueous solution of the sodium derivative of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (using litmus paper as indicator) shall, when washed with water and dried at 80 oC for two hours, have a melting range of 125 oC to 128 oC

B.

Positive test for sodium

C.

pH of a 0,1 % solution in carbon dioxide free water, not less than 9,7 and not more than 10,3

Purity

Water content

Not more than 5 % (Karl Fischer method)

Sulphated ash

40 % to 44,5 % on the anhydrous basis

p-Hydroxybenzoic acid and salicylic acid

Not more than 0,35 % expressed as p-hydroxybenzoic acid

Arsenic

Not more than 3 mg/kg

Lead

Not more than 5 mg/kg

Mercury

Not more than 1 mg/kg

Heavy metals (as Pb)

Not more than 10 mg/kg