Sodium Methyl Paraben · Water-Soluble Paraben Preservative for Food, Beverage & Personal Care

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: Sodium 4-hydroxybenzoate (sodium methyl p-hydroxybenzoate), commonly known as sodium methyl paraben.
• Structure: p-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester converted to its sodium salt, enhancing water solubility relative to methyl paraben.
• Form: typically a white to off-white crystalline powder or small granules, odourless or almost odourless, with a faintly bitter taste at higher concentrations.
• Solubility:
  • Much more soluble in water than the parent methyl paraben, enabling easy use in many aqueous systems,
  • Also soluble in various polar organic solvents (e.g. ethanol, propylene glycol) for premix preparation.
• Stability:
  • Good stability in solid form when stored in tightly closed containers,
  • Most effective and stable in acidic to mildly acidic conditions; hydrolysis and reduced efficacy may occur at higher pH.
• Functional role:
  • Acts primarily as an antimicrobial preservative with strong activity against yeasts and moulds,
  • Used together with other parabens (e.g. propyl paraben) or organic acid preservatives to broaden antimicrobial spectrum.
• Regulatory status:
  • May be designated as E219 in jurisdictions where sodium methyl paraben is approved as a food additive,
  • Permitted uses, maximum concentrations and combination rules differ by region, food category, cosmetic product type and target population.

Atlas works with formulation and regulatory teams to evaluate sodium methyl paraben’s technical fit and to design balanced preservative systems, while customers confirm local additive/cosmetic regulations and risk assessments.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications depend on the selected grade (food, pharma or cosmetic) and producer. Typical sodium methyl paraben parameters include:

• Assay: generally around 99.0–100.5% sodium methyl paraben on dried basis (as per compendial or internal standards).
• Identification tests: confirm p-hydroxybenzoate structure and sodium salt via IR, UV, sodium tests and other methods.
• Appearance: white to off-white crystalline powder, free from visible foreign contamination.
• pH (in solution): controlled within an agreed range when dissolved, ensuring consistent performance and compatibility.
• Related substances & impurities: limited in accordance with pharmacopoeial or internal requirements.
• Heavy metals & selected elements: restricted to levels compliant with food, pharma or cosmetic regulations.
• Residual solvents: monitored and controlled; compliance with ICH or relevant guidelines depending on grade.
• Microbiological quality: low microbial counts suitable for food, nutraceutical and personal care applications.
• Loss on drying: controlled to ensure assay stability and flow.
• Packaging & labelling: supplied with batch number, net weight, production/expiry dates and storage conditions.

Each batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet. Extended documentation (GMO and allergen statements, origin, residual solvent declarations, cosmetic/food compliance statements, contaminant profiles, Halal/Kosher certificates) can be provided depending on grade and target markets.

Food & beverage applications*

• Flavoured syrups & concentrates* – used at low ppm levels to help protect sugar-rich, acidic syrups, cordials and concentrates against yeast and mould spoilage.
• Liquid supplements & tonics* – suitable for nutraceutical beverages and tonics, often together with other preservatives, where authorised.
• High-moisture fillings & toppings* – selected use in fruit fillings, dessert toppings and confectionery centres, with emphasis on pH, water activity and additive limits.

*Food uses depend on local additive regulations (approved categories, maximum levels, labelling). In many markets, paraben use in foods is restricted or defined only for specific applications.

Nutraceutical & pharmaceutical applications*

• Oral syrups & suspensions* – sodium methyl paraben is commonly used as part of a paraben-based preservative system in oral liquid preparations.
• Liquid dietary supplements* – multivitamin/mineral or herbal syrups where microbiological stability must be maintained over shelf life.

*Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical uses are governed by pharmacopoeial standards, marketing authorisations and product-specific risk assessments.

Personal care & cosmetics*

• Skin care & body care* – creams, lotions, gels and cleansers where water-soluble parabens are used in preservative blends within regulatory limits.
• Hair care & toiletries* – shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps and shower gels requiring robust antimicrobial preservation.

*Cosmetic applications are subject to strict concentration limits, product-type restrictions and in some regions age-related limitations. Manufacturers must comply with applicable cosmetic regulations and any paraben-specific rules.

Formulation guidance

• Dosage & limits:
  • Typical use levels are in the tens to low hundreds of ppm, depending on matrix and regulatory framework,
  • Maximum permitted concentrations and combined paraben limits are jurisdiction- and product-specific and must be confirmed.
• Addition strategy:
  • Often added directly to the aqueous phase due to its good solubility,
  • Can be pre-dissolved in warm water or suitable solvent for easier handling and accurate dosing.
• pH & matrix considerations:
  • Preservative efficacy is influenced by pH; best performance is typically seen in acidic to mildly acidic systems,
  • Formulators often combine sodium methyl paraben with other parabens, sorbates, benzoates, organic acids or chelating agents to broaden coverage and optimise performance.
• Sensory & compatibility:
  • At properly controlled levels, sensory impact is typically low; excessive overdose may lead to bitterness or off-notes,
  • Compatibility with emulsifiers, surfactants, thickeners and packaging materials should be validated during stability studies.
• Consumer & regulatory landscape:
  • Parabens are subject to ongoing scientific and regulatory review as well as consumer perception issues,
  • Brand owners may choose between paraben-containing and paraben-free systems according to market preferences and regulatory guidance.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food, pharma or cosmetic-grade sodium methyl paraben depending on project needs, with specifications covering assay, identity, impurities, residual solvents, heavy metals and microbiology.
• Each batch is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet outlining key analytical parameters and methods.
• Additional documentation can include GMO and allergen status, country of origin, residual solvent declarations, compliance statements for applicable food/cosmetic regulations, toxicological data summaries and Halal/Kosher certificates.
• Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised ISO, GMP or food safety standards; details and certifications can be provided for audits and regulatory dossiers.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, maximum permitted levels, product safety assessments, labelling and marketing/health claims in each destination market and product category.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: commonly 25 kg fibre drums or cartons with inner liners for moisture and contamination protection. Alternative pack sizes can be evaluated for specific markets.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads together with other antioxidants, preservatives, sweeteners, acidulants, vitamins, proteins and functional ingredients from the Atlas portfolio.
• Store in a cool, dry place in well-closed containers, away from heat, direct sunlight and strong oxidising agents to maintain assay, colour and physical integrity.
• Typical shelf life is specified on the product specification and COA; customers should confirm stability, preservative efficacy and sensory behaviour in their own formulations and packaging.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored proposal, please share your intended applications (food, beverage, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, personal care), product formats (liquid, semi-solid, solid), pH range and target shelf life, preferred co-preservatives, annual volume, packaging preferences, required documentation/certifications (e.g. cosmetic regulations, food additive status, Halal, Kosher, non-GMO, specific contaminant limits) and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable sodium methyl paraben grades and preservation system concepts to support your product development and scale-up.