Sucrose octaacetate is an organic acetylation product occurring as a white or cream-colored powder having an intensely bitter taste.
Free acid (as acetic acid). Maximum percentage 0.15 by weight when determined by the following procedure: Dissolve 1.0 gram of sample in 50 mL of neutralized ethyl alcohol (or S.D.A. No. 3-A, No. 3-C, or No. 30) and titrate with 0.1 N sodium hydroxide using phenolphthalein indicator.
Insoluble matter. 0.30 percent by weight maximum.
Melting point. Not less than 78.0 °C.
Purity. Sucrose octaacetate 98 percent minimum by weight when determined by the following procedure: Transfer a weighed 1.50 grams sample to a 500 mL Erlenmeyer flask containing 100 mL of neutral ethyl alcohol (or S.D.A. No. 3-A, No. 3-C, or No. 30) and exactly 50.0 mL of 0.5 N sodium hydroxide. Reflux for 1 hour on a steam bath, cool and titrate the excess sodium hydroxide with 0.5 N sulfuric acid using phenolphthalein indicator.