Sodium ferulate explained

Sodium ferulate, the sodium salt of ferulic acid, is a compound used in traditional Chinese medicine thought to be useful for treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and to prevent thrombosis, although there is no high-quality clinical evidence for such effects. It is found in the root of Angelica sinensis. As of 2005, it was under preliminary clinical research in China.^[1] Ferulic acid can also be extracted from the root of the Chinese herb Ligusticum chuanxiong.^[2]

Kraft Foods patented the use of sodium ferulate to mask the aftertaste of the artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium.^[3]

Notes and References

1. 10.1111/j.1527-3466.2005.tb00163.x . Wang, B. H. . Ou-Yang, J. P. . Pharmacological Actions of Sodium Ferulate in Cardiovascular System . Cardiovascular Drug Reviews . 2005 . 23 . 2 . 161–172 . 16007232 . free .
2. Wang, W. . Sun, Y. . Ultrasonic Extraction of Ferulic Acid from Ligusticum chuanxiong . Journal of the Chinese Institute of Chemical Engineers . 2008 . 39 . 6 . 653–656 . 10.1016/j.jcice.2008.05.012 .
3. US . 5336513 . patent . 1994-08-09 . Riemer, J. A. . Kraft General Foods . Bitterness Inhibitors . (expired in 2006 due to non-payment of fees)