What is "potassium sorbate"

n. (context chemistry English) The potassium salt of sorbic acid.

Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, chemical formula CHCH=CH-CH=CH-COK. It is a white salt that is very soluble in water (58.2% at 20 °C). It is primarily used as a food preservative ( E number 202). Potassium sorbate is effective in a variety of applications including food, wine, and personal care products. While sorbic acid is naturally occurring in some berries, virtually all of the world's production of sorbic acid, from which potassium sorbate is derived, is manufactured synthetically.