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Sodium anisate

Sodium anisate suppliers and sourcing guide

Sodium anisate is the sodium salt of p-anisic acid (4-methoxybenzoic acid), which occurs in anise and fennel and is made commercially by oxidizing anethole or p-methoxytoluene. The acid is neutralized with sodium hydroxide and sold as a powder or solution. In cosmetics it is used in preservative systems, usually paired with sodium levulinate, in formulas marketed as natural.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Sodium p-anisate · Sodium 4-methoxybenzoate · p-Anisic acid sodium salt · CAS 536-45-8
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of sodium anisate

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Powder

    White crystalline salt that dissolves in water phases.

  • Aqueous solution

    Pre-dissolved sodium anisate at a stated concentration.

  • Blends with sodium levulinate

    Ready-made preservative solutions combining sodium anisate and sodium levulinate under trade names.

  • Natural-origin grades

    Grades made from plant-derived anethole, with documentation for natural cosmetic standards.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Assay
Sodium anisate content by HPLC or titration.
pH
pH of a stated solution; anisate preservation works best in acidic formulas, so the salt pH matters for formulating.
Loss on drying or water
Moisture in powders or concentration in solutions.
Related substances
Residual anethole, anisaldehyde or other byproducts by HPLC or GC.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic and other metals by ICP-MS or ICP-OES against the supplier's specification or the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) limits.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store sodium anisate sealed at room temperature away from moisture, heat and direct light. Powders can cake if left open. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older stock is retested for assay and appearance.

Lots and expiry dates

Record the assay or concentration of each lot, and for blends the ratio of anisate to levulinate. Keep natural-origin certificates with the lot if your labels rely on them.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Sodium anisate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking sodium anisate suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of sodium anisate can brands buy?

Common forms include powder, aqueous solution, blends with sodium levulinate and natural-origin grades. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for sodium anisate include?

Expect assay, pH, loss on drying or water, related substances and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should sodium anisate be stored?

Store sodium anisate sealed at room temperature away from moisture, heat and direct light. Powders can cake if left open. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older stock is retested for assay and appearance.

What is the regulatory status of sodium anisate?

Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists sodium anisate as an approved chemical name with the non-medicinal purposes "pH adjuster" and "preservative antimicrobial".

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