Potassium Cinnamate: A Scientifically Proven, Safe Antimicrobial Choice for the Food Industry

Weichuang is a national high-tech enterprise specializing in the production of high-activity Acetobacter fermentation products and strain breeding. Its innovative product, Potassium Cinnamate, is emerging as a natural preservative with reliable antimicrobial activity, offering the food industry a new option for clean-label and sustainable development.

1、Effective Antimicrobial Mechanism

Potassium Cinnamate alters the permeability of microbial cell membranes, causing leakage of intracellular substances, while also disrupting metabolic processes and enzyme activity.

Effective concentration against molds: 0.05% – 0.1%

Effective concentration against bacteria: 0.01% – 0.1%

Target microorganisms: Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacilli

pH range: Broad efficacy across pH 2 – 7

2、Scientifically Validated Safety

A recent study published in LWT – Food Science and Technology (Vol. 215, 2025) has provided systematic evidence of the safety of Potassium Cinnamate. The research was jointly conducted by the Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, and the State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology.

Key findings include:

• Minimal hemolysis: At concentrations up to 8 mg/mL, the hemolysis rate for rabbit red blood cells was only 3.31%, well below safety thresholds.
• Low cytotoxicity: Within the effective antimicrobial range (1 – 4 mg/mL), cytotoxicity to human K562 cells remained extremely low, with a survival rate above 86.9%.

3、Safe Metabolic Pathway

Once ingested, Potassium Cinnamate is metabolized into phenylalanine, an essential amino acid. Most phenylalanine is naturally excreted, while a small portion is converted into tyrosine, with no toxic or adverse effects.
As early as 1965, its core component, cinnamic acid, was recognized by FEMA (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, USA) as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), providing long-term authoritative validation of its safety.

4、The Weichuang Advantage

Backed by rigorous raw material control and advanced production technology, Weichuang Bio delivers high-purity, stable, and reliable Potassium Cinnamate products that:

• Support the food industry’s shift to clean-label and natural preservation
• Reduce dependence on synthetic preservatives
• Provide consumers with safer and healthier food options