Metatartaric acid

Metatartaric acid
	; Idealized chemical structure of metartaric acid
Names
	Other names E353
Identifiers
CAS Number	39469-81-3 (unspecified form); 56959-20-7 (polyether form);
Properties
Chemical formula	(C4H4O5)n
Molar mass	Variable
Appearance	Off-white solid
Solubility in water	Freely soluble
Solubility in ethanol	Soluble
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Metatartaric acid is a food additive. Chemically, it is a polymeric lactone of variable composition and different molecular weights obtained through a dehydration reaction by heating tartaric acid.^[2]

Uses

As a food additive, it has the E number E353 and is classified as an acidity regulator.^[1] It is added to wine to prevent the precipitation of potassium hydrogen tartrate and calcium tartrate.^[3]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Younes M, Aquilina G, Castle L, Engel KH, Fowler P, Frutos Fernandez MJ, et al. (March 2020). "Re-evaluation of metatartaric acid (E 353) as a food additive". EFSA Journal. European Food Safety Authority. 18 (3): e06031. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6031. PMC 7448071. PMID 32874249.
^ "Cold Stabilization". Australian Wine Research Institute.
^ "3.3.7 Treatment with Metatartaric Acid" (PDF). International Code of Oenological Practices.

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