Potassium Bicarbonate Guide

Potassium bicarbonate (also known as potassium hydrogen carbonate or potassium acid carbonate), is a colorless, odorless, slightly basic, salty substance. According to The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), potassium bicarbonate is "generally recognized as safe".

Potassium bicarbonate is soluble in water, and is often found added to bottled water to affect taste; however, it is not soluble in alcohol. Decomposition of the substance occurs between 100 °C and 120 °C into K2CO3 (potassium carbonate), H2O (water), and CO2 (carbon dioxide). In concentrations greater than 0.5%, KHCO3 can have toxic effects on plants[citation needed] (potassium bicarbonate has widespread use in crops, especially for neutralizing acidic soil, and is also under consideration as an organic fungicide[1]), although there is no evidence of human carcinogenicity, no adverse effects of overexposure, and an undetermined LD50.

Physically, potassium bicarbonate occurs as a crystal or a soft white granular powder. It is manufactured by reacting potassium carbonate with carbon dioxide and water:...