The molecular formula of sodium propionate is ch3ch2coona, and the relative molecular weight is 96.06.
Sodium propionate is a colorless transparent crystalline or granular crystalline powder with a slight special smell. Monohydrate is a colorless crystal with hygroscopicity. Soluble in water and ethanol, the solubility in 10% water is about 100 (15 ℃), and the pH value is 8.5 ~ 10.5. It has a wide range of antibacterial effects on molds, yeasts and bacteria, and is the most active in acidic pH.

Food, feed antiseptic and mildew inhibitor. The general addition amount is 0.1-0.3%.
Its bacteriostatic effect is affected by environmental pH value. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 0.01% at pH 5.0 and 0.5% at pH 6.5. It has strong inhibitory effect on all kinds of molds, gram-negative bacilli or aerobic bacillus in acidic medium. It has a special effect on preventing the production of Aspergillus flavus, but it is almost ineffective for yeast. It can also be used as an anti mildew agent for feed.