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Sodium levulinate

Sodium levulinate suppliers and sourcing guide

Sodium levulinate is the sodium salt of levulinic acid, a keto acid made by acid treatment of sugars or cellulose from sources such as corn or wood. The acid is neutralized with sodium hydroxide and sold as a water solution or dried powder. In cosmetics it is used as a skin-conditioning ingredient and, often with sodium anisate, as part of preservative systems for natural-style formulas.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Sodium 4-oxovalerate · Sodium 4-oxopentanoate · Levulinic acid sodium salt · CAS 19856-23-6
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of sodium levulinate

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

  • Aqueous solution

    Liquid sodium levulinate at a stated concentration, easy to add to water phases.

  • Powder

    Dried salt for anhydrous handling and shipping.

  • Blends with sodium anisate

    Premixed solutions of sodium levulinate and sodium anisate sold under trade names as preservative systems.

  • Certified natural grades

    Grades with documentation for natural or organic cosmetic standards, made from plant-derived levulinic acid.

What to check on the COA

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

Assay
Sodium levulinate content by HPLC or titration, reported against the stated concentration for solutions.
pH
pH of the solution or of a stated dilution, which affects performance in the formula.
Appearance and color
Color of solutions, which darkens with age or heat.
Microbiology
Total aerobic count, yeast and mold for aqueous solutions.
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

Keep sodium levulinate closed in its original container at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Solutions can darken with age, so avoid warm storage. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older lots are checked for color and pH before use.

Lots and expiry dates

Record the concentration and pH of each lot, especially for blends, since the active content per kilogram can differ between suppliers. Keep the supplier's natural-origin documents with each lot if you make such claims.

Regulatory status

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

  • Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists sodium levulinate (sodium 4-oxovalerate) as an approved chemical name with the non-medicinal purpose "skin-conditioning agent".

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

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 levulinate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking sodium levulinate 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 levulinate can brands buy?

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

What should the COA for sodium levulinate include?

Expect assay, pH, appearance and color, microbiology and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should sodium levulinate be stored?

Keep sodium levulinate closed in its original container at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Solutions can darken with age, so avoid warm storage. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older lots are checked for color and pH before use.

What is the regulatory status of sodium levulinate?

Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists sodium levulinate (sodium 4-oxovalerate) as an approved chemical name with the non-medicinal purpose "skin-conditioning agent".

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