Monopotassium Phosphate E340
Monopotassium Phosphate, also known as MKP, potassium dihydrogen phosphate or monobasic potassium phosphate, is a food-grade phosphate salt used for buffering, pH control, potassium and phosphate mineral contribution, protein functionality, mineral balance and formulation stability in selected food and beverage systems.
Industrial buyers typically evaluate Monopotassium Phosphate for beverage electrolyte systems, processed cheese and dairy systems, meat and seafood formulations, bakery leavening systems, nutritional products, dry blends and applications requiring controlled acidity, soluble potassium contribution or phosphate buffering. This page is prepared as a structured starting point for sourcing, specification review, regulatory document collection, application testing and quotation requests.
Product identity
| Product | Monopotassium Phosphate |
|---|---|
| Common abbreviation | MKP |
| Synonyms | Potassium dihydrogen phosphate; monobasic potassium phosphate; potassium phosphate monobasic |
| Category | Phosphates, Salts & Sequestrants |
| Function | Buffering salt, acidity regulator, mineral-control ingredient and potassium/phosphate source |
| E / INS number | E340 / INS 340; commonly E340(i) for monopotassium phosphate |
| CAS / identity | 7778-77-0 |
| Chemical formula | KH2PO4 |
| Molecular weight | Approximately 136.09 g/mol |
| Typical form | White crystalline powder, crystals, granules or prepared solution grade |
| Key purchasing variables | Assay, pH, particle size, solubility, heavy metals, origin, food-grade status, certification package and packaging format |
Application fit
Potential industrial use areas may include:
- Beverages, electrolyte drinks and nutritional drink powders
- Processed cheese, dairy systems and milk-based products
- Meat products, poultry products and seafood systems
- Bakery, leavening blends and dough systems
- Seasonings, dry mixes, instant foods and prepared meals
- Fermentation support, starter-culture systems and pH-controlled foods
- Mineral-fortified foods requiring potassium and phosphate contribution
Technical overview for food manufacturers
Monopotassium Phosphate is an acidic potassium phosphate salt. In industrial food formulation, it is most often selected when the manufacturer needs a soluble phosphate source with buffering capacity and potassium contribution. Compared with more alkaline phosphate salts, MKP is useful when the target system requires phosphate functionality without strongly increasing pH.
Functionality depends on the complete food matrix. The effect of MKP can change with pH, calcium level, protein type, salt concentration, water hardness, heat treatment, ionic strength, sugar level, acid system, gum system and total phosphate blend. For this reason, Monopotassium Phosphate is normally validated as part of a complete formulation rather than evaluated only as a single dry powder.
Functional role in food systems
MKP can support multiple technical objectives depending on the application and blend design. In many products, it is used with other potassium phosphates, sodium phosphates, calcium salts, citrates, acids, proteins, gums or emulsifying salts to achieve the target performance.
- Buffering and pH control: helps stabilize acidity and reduce pH drift in selected formulations.
- Potassium contribution: provides a soluble potassium source for electrolyte, nutrition and mineral-fortified products.
- Phosphate contribution: supplies phosphate for mineral balance, buffering and protein-system functionality.
- Protein functionality: may support protein hydration, water binding and processing behavior when used in validated phosphate systems.
- Mineral balance: helps manage interactions between calcium, phosphate, potassium, sodium and other minerals.
- Process consistency: supports repeatable pH and mineral conditions in dry blends, beverage systems and heat-treated foods.
- Acidity regulation: useful where an acidic phosphate salt is preferred over alkaline phosphate salts.
Application guidance by industry
Monopotassium Phosphate should be selected according to the final food category, target pH, sensory impact, mineral limits and manufacturing process. Buyers should compare grades using pilot trials and finished-product testing, especially when replacing another phosphate or changing the potassium-to-sodium balance.
Beverages and electrolyte systems
In beverages, drink powders and sports-style formulations, MKP may be used to supply potassium and phosphate while supporting acid balance. It is typically reviewed in dry drink mixes, rehydration beverages, nutritional drinks, powdered beverages and mineral-fortified products.
- Confirm solubility and clarity at target concentration.
- Measure pH after hydration, processing and storage.
- Evaluate taste impact, mineral bitterness and saltiness.
- Check interaction with citric acid, malic acid, flavours, colours, sweeteners and preservatives.
- Validate mineral claims and electrolyte declarations according to the destination market.
Processed cheese and dairy systems
In dairy and processed cheese-style systems, phosphate salts are reviewed for protein behavior, mineral balance, pH control and texture development. MKP may be part of a broader phosphate or emulsifying salt system, depending on the target product.
- Check calcium-phosphate balance and protein hydration.
- Evaluate melt, spreadability, firmness and sliceability.
- Confirm compatibility with citrates, sodium phosphates and potassium phosphates.
- Measure pH before and after heat processing.
- Validate final label declaration and total phosphate limits.
Meat, poultry and seafood
In meat and seafood systems, phosphate salts may support water binding, yield, protein extraction and texture when used within permitted limits. MKP can be reviewed where potassium phosphate functionality or sodium-conscious formulation is required, but it must be evaluated with the complete brine, marinade or tumbling system.
- Measure marinade uptake, purge, cook yield and texture.
- Check compatibility with salt, proteins, starches, gums, lactates and other phosphates.
- Validate pH, water activity and sensory performance.
- Confirm use level, phosphate declaration and market-specific limits.
- Test chilled, frozen and reheated performance under real distribution conditions.
Bakery and leavening systems
In bakery systems, MKP may be reviewed as an acid phosphate component or mineral-control salt in specific leavening, dough or batter systems. Its use should be matched to dough pH, reaction timing, flavour profile and interaction with bicarbonates, calcium salts and other acids.
- Check dough or batter pH and finished-product pH.
- Evaluate gas release, crumb structure, volume and browning.
- Confirm compatibility with sodium bicarbonate, calcium salts and other leavening acids.
- Review taste impact and mineral aftertaste.
- Validate performance after frozen dough storage where applicable.
Dry mixes and powdered foods
MKP is suitable for many dry systems where controlled particle size, blend uniformity and rapid dissolution are important. It may be used in drink powders, soup powders, seasoning blends, nutrition powders and instant products.
- Match particle size with other dry ingredients to reduce segregation.
- Review dusting, flowability and caking behavior.
- Check moisture sensitivity of the total blend.
- Confirm dissolution speed and pH after reconstitution.
- Validate packaging barrier requirements for humid markets.
Fermentation and culture systems
In selected fermentation-related food processes, potassium phosphates may be reviewed for buffering and mineral support. MKP can help maintain defined potassium and phosphate conditions, but use should be validated with the specific organism, culture, pH profile and finished-product requirements.
- Check culture performance and acidification curve.
- Measure pH during fermentation and after storage.
- Confirm compatibility with calcium, magnesium, proteins and salts.
- Review finished-product mineral declaration and label requirements.
Formulation and process-control notes
Monopotassium Phosphate is water soluble and usually easy to incorporate, but industrial performance depends on dosing sequence, pH target, total mineral level and interaction with other salts. In mineral-rich systems, precipitation or clouding can occur if phosphate reacts with calcium, magnesium or other ions under unsuitable conditions.
- Order of addition: dissolve completely before adding ingredients that may react with phosphate where process design allows.
- Water hardness: evaluate calcium and magnesium levels in process water, especially in beverages and clear systems.
- pH target: measure pH at production temperature and after cooling because readings can shift with temperature and equilibration.
- Mineral interactions: check precipitation, sedimentation, haze and mouthfeel in mineral-fortified formulas.
- Protein systems: evaluate hydration, viscosity, heat stability and texture in dairy, meat, seafood and plant-protein systems.
- Dry blending: match granulation and particle size to the full blend to prevent segregation in bags, sachets and silos.
- Sensory control: check mineral bitterness, saltiness, acidity, metallic notes or aftertaste at the selected use level.
- Thermal processing: validate pH, clarity, stability and protein behavior after pasteurization, retort, baking or hot filling where applicable.
Specification checkpoints before purchasing
For industrial purchasing, Monopotassium Phosphate should be compared by grade, assay, impurity profile, particle size, solubility, documentation package and regulatory suitability. Buyers should confirm that the product is food grade, not fertilizer grade or technical grade.
Core quality parameters
- Assay or purity of Monopotassium Phosphate
- Identity confirmation and E340 / INS 340 status where applicable
- pH of aqueous solution
- Loss on drying or moisture
- Water-insoluble matter
- Potassium and phosphate content where declared
- Chloride and sulphate limits where specified
- Sodium content where low-sodium positioning is important
- Fluoride, arsenic, lead and heavy metals where required
- Particle size, granulation and bulk density
- Appearance, odour and clarity of solution
- Microbiological status for food-grade handling
Commercial and compliance checks
- Food-grade and intended-use statement
- Confirmation that the material is not fertilizer or industrial grade
- Destination-market regulatory declaration
- Allergen, GMO, irradiation and BSE/TSE declarations
- Halal, kosher or other certification if required
- Country of origin and manufacturing-site information
- Packaging size, liner type and pallet configuration
- Minimum order quantity, lead time and available shelf life
Regulatory and labelling considerations
Monopotassium Phosphate is commonly grouped under potassium phosphates as E340 / INS 340. In systems that identify individual phosphate salts, it may be referred to as E340(i). However, permission, maximum level, food-category restriction, phosphate calculation, potassium claim, label name and nutrition declaration depend on the destination market and finished food.
Buyers should confirm whether the final product must declare “monopotassium phosphate,” “potassium phosphates,” “E340,” “INS 340,” “acidity regulator,” “stabilizer,” “mineral salt” or another market-specific label term. Products making electrolyte, potassium, reduced-sodium or mineral-fortification claims require additional nutrition and regulatory review.
Quality assurance and validation plan
A structured approval process helps avoid issues with pH drift, precipitation, mineral imbalance, taste defects, label approval and supplier documentation. For beverage and protein systems, finished-product testing is essential because phosphate performance depends strongly on the full formula.
- Document screening: review TDS, specification, COA, regulatory declaration, food-grade statement, origin, allergen status and certifications.
- Bench formulation: test the target use level against pH, solubility, clarity, taste and mineral balance.
- Interaction trial: evaluate compatibility with calcium, magnesium, proteins, salts, acids, gums, flavours, colours and preservatives.
- Process trial: run through the real mixing, hydration, heating, cooling, filling, freezing or drying process.
- Analytical review: confirm pH, potassium, phosphate, sodium, conductivity, clarity, protein behavior and finished-product nutrition values where relevant.
- Shelf-life study: monitor sediment, haze, precipitation, caking, pH drift, flavour change and texture change during storage.
- Regulatory review: confirm food-category permission, maximum use, label declaration, nutrition claims and customer-specific standards.
- Commercial approval: finalize grade, supplier, specification, packaging, MOQ, lead time and release criteria.
Storage, handling and logistics
Food-grade Monopotassium Phosphate is normally supplied as a dry crystalline powder or granule. It should be stored in clean, dry, odour-free warehouse conditions, protected from moisture, condensation, pests and damaged packaging. Opened bags should be resealed or transferred to controlled containers to prevent caking, contamination and moisture pickup.
Packaging options to confirm
- Net weight per bag, carton, drum, pail or big bag
- Inner liner and moisture barrier
- Crystal size or granulation grade on label
- Batch code, production date and expiry format
- Pallet configuration and container loading data
- Export label language and country-specific marking
Purchasing information to provide
- Target application and finished food category
- Required grade, assay and particle size
- Target pH or buffering objective
- Required potassium or phosphate declaration
- First-order quantity and annual volume estimate
- Destination country and delivery term
- Preferred packaging size
- Required certificates and declarations
Documents to request
The document package should be agreed before purchase, especially for regulated markets, multinational customers, private-label products, mineral-fortified foods and export shipments.
- Product specification or technical data sheet
- Certificate of analysis for available batch or lot
- Safety data sheet where applicable
- Food-grade, intended-use and regulatory compliance statement
- E340 / INS 340 or E340(i) statement where applicable
- Origin, manufacturer and manufacturing-site information
- Assay, pH, moisture, insoluble matter and impurity profile
- Heavy metal, arsenic, lead and fluoride data where required
- Allergen, GMO, irradiation and BSE/TSE declarations where required
- Halal, kosher or other certification if required
- Shelf-life, storage and handling information
- Label draft, packaging details and pallet configuration
- Market-specific declarations required by the destination country
How to request this product
Send the product name, E number, target grade or reference specification, required assay, particle size preference, intended application, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, delivery term, expected shipment date and required documents. If you already purchase Monopotassium Phosphate, attach or describe your current specification, supplier label, certificate of analysis or benchmark sample so supplier options can be compared more accurately.
Useful answers
What is Monopotassium Phosphate used for in food manufacturing?
Monopotassium Phosphate is used for buffering, acidity regulation, potassium and phosphate mineral contribution, mineral balance, protein functionality, water binding and formulation stability. It is commonly reviewed for beverages, processed cheese, dairy systems, meat products, seafood, bakery, nutrition products and dry mixes.
Is Monopotassium Phosphate the same as MKP?
Yes. Monopotassium Phosphate is commonly abbreviated as MKP. It is also known as potassium dihydrogen phosphate or monobasic potassium phosphate.
What is the E number for Monopotassium Phosphate?
Monopotassium Phosphate is part of the potassium phosphates group identified as E340 / INS 340. In systems that identify individual salts, monopotassium phosphate is commonly associated with E340(i).
Is Monopotassium Phosphate used in beverages?
Yes. It may be reviewed for beverages, electrolyte systems, drink powders and nutritional drinks where soluble potassium and phosphate contribution or pH buffering is required. Clarity, taste, solubility and mineral declarations should be validated in the finished formula.
Which specification parameters should be checked?
Buyers should check assay, identity, pH, loss on drying or moisture, water-insoluble matter, chloride, sulphate, sodium where relevant, potassium and phosphate content, heavy metals, arsenic, lead, fluoride where applicable, particle size, bulk density, solubility, shelf life and storage conditions.
Can Global Food Additives source Monopotassium Phosphate?
Global Food Additives can review sourcing options for Monopotassium Phosphate according to target specification, food application, grade, quantity, destination, packaging and required documentation.
Which documents should be requested?
Buyers commonly request a technical data sheet or specification, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet where applicable, food-grade statement, origin statement, allergen and GMO declarations, halal or kosher certificate where required, shelf-life information, label and packaging details.
Is Monopotassium Phosphate permitted in every country?
No. Food additive use depends on destination-market rules, food category, use level, phosphate limits, mineral claims, label requirements and buyer responsibility. Regulatory status should be verified before commercial use.
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