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Sodium Benzoate: A Common Food Preservative with Various Uses
2023/5/17
Sodium benzoate is a chemical compound that is widely used as a food preservative and a flavoring agent. It is also found in some medicines, cosmetics, personal care products, and industrial products. It has the chemical formula C6H5COONa and the IUPAC name sodium benzoate.
Sodium benzoate is produced by reacting benzoic acid, a naturally occurring organic acid, with sodium hydroxide, a strong base. Benzoic acid can be derived from various plant sources, such as cinnamon, cloves, cranberries, and plums. Sodium benzoate can also be synthesized from other chemicals, such as toluene or phthalic anhydride.
Sodium benzoate is a white or colorless crystalline powder that is odorless and soluble in water. It has a molecular weight of 144.105 g/mol and a melting point of 410 °C (770 °F). It is classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has an E number of E211.
Sodium benzoate has many properties and uses in various industries, such as food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical. Some of the main properties and uses of sodium benzoate are:
Food preservative: Sodium benzoate is one of the most commonly used food preservatives in the world. It inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, mold, and other microorganisms that can cause food spoilage and contamination. It is especially effective in acidic foods, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, jams, pickles, sauces, and condiments. It can also enhance the flavor and color of some foods.
Pharmaceutical ingredient: Sodium benzoate is used as an excipient or an inactive ingredient in some medicines, especially liquid formulations such as cough syrups, eye drops, nasal sprays, and oral suspensions. It acts as a preservative to prevent microbial growth and degradation of the active ingredients. It can also improve the solubility and stability of some drugs.
Cosmetic additive: Sodium benzoate is used as a preservative and a pH adjuster in some cosmetics and personal care products, such as hair products, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, lotion, cream, and soap. It prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi that can cause spoilage and infection. It can also balance the acidity or alkalinity of the product to maintain its quality and performance.
Chemical intermediate: Sodium benzoate is used as a chemical intermediate or a starting material in the synthesis of other chemicals, such as benzoyl chloride, benzyl benzoate, sodium phenylacetate, and sodium saccharin. It can also be used as a catalyst or a reagent in some chemical reactions.
Sodium benzoate is produced by reacting benzoic acid, a naturally occurring organic acid, with sodium hydroxide, a strong base. Benzoic acid can be derived from various plant sources, such as cinnamon, cloves, cranberries, and plums. Sodium benzoate can also be synthesized from other chemicals, such as toluene or phthalic anhydride.
Sodium benzoate is a white or colorless crystalline powder that is odorless and soluble in water. It has a molecular weight of 144.105 g/mol and a melting point of 410 °C (770 °F). It is classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has an E number of E211.
Sodium benzoate has many properties and uses in various industries, such as food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical. Some of the main properties and uses of sodium benzoate are:
Food preservative: Sodium benzoate is one of the most commonly used food preservatives in the world. It inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, mold, and other microorganisms that can cause food spoilage and contamination. It is especially effective in acidic foods, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, jams, pickles, sauces, and condiments. It can also enhance the flavor and color of some foods.
Pharmaceutical ingredient: Sodium benzoate is used as an excipient or an inactive ingredient in some medicines, especially liquid formulations such as cough syrups, eye drops, nasal sprays, and oral suspensions. It acts as a preservative to prevent microbial growth and degradation of the active ingredients. It can also improve the solubility and stability of some drugs.
Cosmetic additive: Sodium benzoate is used as a preservative and a pH adjuster in some cosmetics and personal care products, such as hair products, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, lotion, cream, and soap. It prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi that can cause spoilage and infection. It can also balance the acidity or alkalinity of the product to maintain its quality and performance.
Chemical intermediate: Sodium benzoate is used as a chemical intermediate or a starting material in the synthesis of other chemicals, such as benzoyl chloride, benzyl benzoate, sodium phenylacetate, and sodium saccharin. It can also be used as a catalyst or a reagent in some chemical reactions.
Sodium benzoate is a versatile and useful substance that has many properties and uses in various industries. It is safe and effective when used in appropriate amounts and under proper conditions. However, it may also have some potential health risks and environmental impacts when used excessively or improperly.
