- sorbic acid is a straight-chain, trans-trans unsaturated fatty acid, 2-4 - hexadienoic acid.
- as an acid, it has a low solubility in water at room temp.
- the salts, sodium, or potassium are more soluble in watet.
- sorbates are stable in the dry form; the are unstable in aqueous solutions because they decompose through oxidation.
- the rate of oxidation is increased at low pH,by increased temp, and by light exposure.