Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) is an inorganic compound that consists of sodium cations and tripolyphosphate anions. It is a white, crystalline powder that is widely used in the food industry as a preservative and in detergents as a water softener and cleaning agent. STPP can also be found in various other applications such as ceramic production, oil drilling, and as a flame retardant. However, due to environmental concerns, its use has been restricted in many regions.