International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives: 336
Food additives Europe numbers: E336
Potassium tartrates are a group of salts formed by combining potassium with tartaric acid. Here's a breakdown of the two most common types you mentioned and their applications:
Potassium Tartrates:
- Limited Medical Use: Potassium tartrates, in general, don't have widespread applications as direct medical substances.
Monopotassium Tartrate (i):
- More Common Name: You might know this by its more common name - cream of tartar.
- Culinary Uses: It's primarily used as a leavening agent and stabilizer in baking powders and certain food products.
- Limited Medicinal Applications: Some historical or occasional uses of cream of tartar might include:
- As a laxative (though other options are generally preferred).
- As an ingredient in some over-the-counter (OTC) medications (not very common).
Dipotassium Tartrate (ii):
- Less Common: Dipotassium tartrate is less common than monopotassium tartrate (cream of tartar).
- Food Additive (E336): It's sometimes used as a food additive (acidity regulator) with the same E number (E336) as cream of tartar.
Important Considerations:
- While cream of tartar might have some niche historical or limited medicinal uses, it's not a mainstream medical treatment.
- If you encounter information suggesting cream of tartar for medical purposes, it's best to consult a doctor for guidance. There might be more effective and safer alternatives available.
In Conclusion:
Potassium tartrates, including cream of tartar and dipotassium tartrate, are not widely used as direct medical substances. Cream of tartar has some historical or limited medicinal applications, but it's primarily a culinary ingredient. If you have any questions about potassium tartrates or their potential medicinal uses, it's always best to consult a doctor for personalized advice.