General Description
Odorless white crystals or crystalline powder. Aqueous solution is neutral or alkaline to litmus, but not alkaline to phenolphthalein. Effloresces in dry air. Intensely sweet taste.
Reactivity Profile
This compound may react with oxidizing agents. . Very weak base in aqueous solution.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Hazard
The use of saccharin is being limited due
to possible carcinogenicity.
Potential Exposure
The information provided has to do,
primarily, with the manufacturing of saccharin. Saccharin
has been used as a nonnutritive sweetening agent. At one
point the United States consumption pattern for all forms
of saccharin has been estimated as 45% in soft drinks; 18%
in tabletop sweeteners; 14% in fruits, juices, sweets, chew-
ing gum, and jellies; 10% in cosmetics and oral hygiene
products; 7% in drugs, such as coating on pills; 2% in
tobacco; 2% in electroplating; and 2% for miscellaneous
uses. Human exposure to saccharin occurs primarily
through ingestion because of its use in many dietic foods
and drinks and some personal hygiene products, including
toothpastes and mouthwashes. The general public is
exposed to saccharin, especially by persons required to
reduce sugar intake.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data are not available for this chemical, but SACCHARIN, SODIUM SALT is probably combustible.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminate skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.
If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,
begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, includ-
ing resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if heart action has
stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
Shipping
UN3077 Environmentally hazardous substances,
solid, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-Miscellaneous haz-
ardous material, Technical Name Required.
Incompatibilities
Dust may form explosive mixture with
air. Incompatible with strong oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates,
peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine,
fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep
away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids,
oxoacids, and epoxides.
Waste Disposal
Consult with environmental
regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal
practices. Generators of waste containing this contami-
nant (≥100 kg/mo) must conform to EPA regulations
governing storage, transportation, treatment, and waste
disposal.
Definition
ChEBI: Saccharin sodium is an organic molecular entity.
Production Methods
Saccharin is produced by the oxidation of o-toluene sulfonamide by
potassium permanganate in a solution of sodium hydroxide.
Acidification of the solution precipitates saccharin, which is then
dissolved in water at 50℃ and neutralized by addition of sodium
hydroxide. Rapid cooling of the solution initiates crystallization of
saccharin sodium from the liquors.
Brand name
Sucaryl (Ross).
Pharmaceutical Applications
Saccharin sodium is an intense sweetening agent used in beverages,
food products, table-top sweeteners, and pharmaceutical formulations
such as tablets, powders, medicated confectionery, gels,
suspensions, liquids, and mouthwashes. It is also used
in vitamin preparations.
Saccharin sodium is considerably more soluble in water than
saccharin, and is more frequently used in pharmaceutical formulations.
Its sweetening power is approximately 300–600 times that of
sucrose. Saccharin sodium enhances flavor systems and may be used
to mask some unpleasant taste characteristics.
Injection of saccharin sodium has been used to measure the armto-
tongue circulation time.
Safety
There has been considerable controversy concerning the safety of
saccharin and saccharin sodium in recent years; however, it is now generally regarded as a safe, intense sweetener. See Saccharin for
further information.
The WHO has set a temporary acceptable daily intake of up to
2.5 mg/kg body-weight for saccharin, including its salts.(3) In the
UK, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer
Products, and the Environment (COT) has set an acceptable daily
intake for saccharin and its salts (expressed as saccharin sodium) at
up to 5 mg/kg body-weight.
LD50 (mouse, oral): 17.5 g/kg
LD50 (rat, IP): 7.1 g/kg
LD50 (rat, oral): 14.2 g/kg
storage
Saccharin sodium is stable under the normal range of conditions
employed in formulations. Only when it is exposed to a high
temperature (125℃) at a low pH (pH 2) for over 1 hour does
significant decomposition occur. The 84% grade is the most stable
form of saccharin sodium since the 76% form will dry further under
ambient conditions. Solutions for injection can be sterilized by
autoclave.
Saccharin sodium should be stored in a well-closed container in a
dry place.
Regulatory Status
Accepted for use as a food additive in Europe; ‘E954’ is applied to
both saccharin and saccharin salts. Included in the FDA Inactive
Ingredients Database (buccal and dental preparations; IM and IV
injections; oral and topical preparations). Included in nonparenteral
medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of
Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.
