Table 1.
Specifications for aluminium sulphate E 520 according to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 and JECFA (2011)b
| Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 | JECFA (2011) | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | EINECS (EC) No: – | CAS No: 10043‐01‐3 |
| Chemical name: aluminium sulphate | Chemical name: aluminium sulphate | |
| Chemical formula: Al2(SO4)3 | Chemical formula: Al2(SO4)3 | |
| Molecular weight (g/mol): 342.13 | Formula weight (g/mol): 342.13 | |
| Assay: content not less than 99.5% on the ignited basis | Assay: not less than 99.5% on the ignited base | |
| Description | White powder, shining plates or crystalline fragments | White powder, shining plates or crystalline fragments; odourless |
| Identification | Test for aluminium: passes test | Test for aluminium: passes test |
| Test for sulphate: passes test | Test for sulphate: passes test | |
| pH: 2.9 or above (5% solution) | pH: 2.9 or above (5% solution) | |
| Solubility: freely soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol | Solubility: freely soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol | |
| Purity | Loss on ignition: not more than 5% (500°C, 3 h) | Loss on ignition: not more than 5% (about 500°C, 3 h) |
| Alkalies and alkaline earths: not more than 0.4% | Alkalis and alkaline earths: not more than 4 mg (about 0.4%) of residue remains from treating a 2 g samplea | |
| Selenium: not more than 30 mg/kg | Selenium: not more than 30 mg/kg | |
| Fluoride: not more than 30 mg/kg | Fluoride: not more than 30 mg/kga | |
| Arsenic: not more than 3 mg/kg | – | |
| Lead: not more than 5 mg/kg | Lead: not more than 5 mg/kg | |
| Mercury: not more than 1 mg/kg | – |
a
In JECFA (2011) a specific test is directly available from the data sheet.