It is used as a maturing agent and dough conditioner in baking (though banned in many countries due to carcinogenicity) as an oxidizing agent in analytical chemistry and in hair waving solutions.

Its primary purpose is to strengthen dough structure by oxidizing thiol groups in gluten proteins improving bread volume and texture while acting as a strong brominatingoxidizing reagent in redox reactions.

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is a white crystalline powder ionic compound consisting of K cations and trigonal pyramidal BrO3 anions (Br in 5 oxidation state) odorless with density 3.27 gcm3 melting point 350C and decomposing above that temperature.