Benzoic Acid and Benzoates in Food
Benzoic Acid and Benzoates in Food, Drinks and Medicines
Benzoic acid and benzoates are common additives to food, drinks, medicines and cosmetics, and they also occur naturally in many plants. They are useful chemicals in manufactured products because they kill or inhibit both bacteria and fungi and can act as preservatives. Benzoic acid and benzoates are considered to be safe chemicals for humans when they're used in small quantities, but there are at least two situations in which even small amounts of the substances may be potentially harmful.
Benzoic acid was first obtained from the resin exuded from the bark of several species of Styrax trees. The fragrant resin smells like vanilla and is sometimes known as “gum benzoin”. It’s used to make incense and to slow fragrance release in perfumes. Benzoates are derived from benzoic acid. Today benzoic acid is made in the laboratory from other chemicals instead of being extracted from gum benzoin.
Cinnamon contains benzoic acid.
Source: AliciaC
Benzoic Acid and Sodium Benzoate
Pure benzoic acid is a white to colorless solid which consists of crystalline needles or scales. It's a member of the carboxylic acid family and has the molecular formula C6H5COOH. Benzoic acid is only slightly soluble in water. Sodium benzoate is the most widely used benzoate and has the formula C6H5COONa. It's a granular powder and is more soluble in water than benzoic acid.
Sodium benzoate is more commonly used as a food preservative than benzoic acid due to its greater solubility in water. However, the benzoate form of the chemical is converted into the acid form in our bodies, and the acid form is a more effective germ killer than the benzoate form.
Natural benzoic acid has been found in a variety of fruits - especially berries - as well as in yogurt, certain spices, tea, coffee, honey and mushrooms. Artificial benzoic acid is added to food and other products in limited quantities to prevent microbial growth. Benzoic acid is
Benzoic acid and benzoates are common additives to food, drinks, medicines and cosmetics, and they also occur naturally in many plants. They are useful chemicals in manufactured products because they kill or inhibit both bacteria and fungi and can act as preservatives. Benzoic acid and benzoates are considered to be safe chemicals for humans when they're used in small quantities, but there are at least two situations in which even small amounts of the substances may be potentially harmful.
Benzoic acid was first obtained from the resin exuded from the bark of several species of Styrax trees. The fragrant resin smells like vanilla and is sometimes known as “gum benzoin”. It’s used to make incense and to slow fragrance release in perfumes. Benzoates are derived from benzoic acid. Today benzoic acid is made in the laboratory from other chemicals instead of being extracted from gum benzoin.
Cinnamon contains benzoic acid.
Source: AliciaC
Benzoic Acid and Sodium Benzoate
Pure benzoic acid is a white to colorless solid which consists of crystalline needles or scales. It's a member of the carboxylic acid family and has the molecular formula C6H5COOH. Benzoic acid is only slightly soluble in water. Sodium benzoate is the most widely used benzoate and has the formula C6H5COONa. It's a granular powder and is more soluble in water than benzoic acid.
Sodium benzoate is more commonly used as a food preservative than benzoic acid due to its greater solubility in water. However, the benzoate form of the chemical is converted into the acid form in our bodies, and the acid form is a more effective germ killer than the benzoate form.
Natural benzoic acid has been found in a variety of fruits - especially berries - as well as in yogurt, certain spices, tea, coffee, honey and mushrooms. Artificial benzoic acid is added to food and other products in limited quantities to prevent microbial growth. Benzoic acid is