Parasorbic acid explained

Parasorbic acid is the cyclic lactone of sorbic acid. Thermal treatment or hydrolysis converts the lactone to sorbic acid.^[1]

Toxicity

Parasorbic acid is toxic and causes indigestion and nausea, however cooking and exposure to moisture convert it to the benign food preservative sorbic acid.^[2]

See also

• δ-Valerolactone
• Sorbic acid

Notes and References

1. Book: Natural food antimicrobial systems . 2000. 0-8493-2047-X. 637. A. S. Naidu.
2. Mason PL, Gaunt IF, Hardy J, Kiss IS, Butterworth KR, Gangolli SD . Long-term toxicity of parasorbic acid in rats . Food Cosmet Toxicol . 14 . 5 . 387–394 . 1976 . 1010506 . 10.1016/S0015-6264(76)80174-5.