Table of Contents
Is sodium benzoate a carcinogen?
Sodium Benzoate is used as a preservative to prevent food from molding. While sodium benzoate is considered safe, scientists have shown that negative side effects occur when it’s mixed with ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Their studies indicate that it then turns into benzene, a known carcinogen that may cause cancer.
Why is sodium benzoate used as a preservative?
Sodium benzoate is the first preservative the FDA allowed in foods and still a widely used food additive. Sodium benzoate inhibits the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, mold, and other microbes in food, thus deterring spoilage. It’s particularly effective in acidic foods ( 6 ).
Is sodium benzoate suitable to be used as preservative if the pH of a fruit juice is more than 6?
Benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are used as food preservatives and are most suitable for foods, fruit juices, and soft drinks that are naturally in an acidic pH range.
Is sodium benzoate is a widely used preservative?
Sodium benzoate is a widely used preservative found in many foods and soft drinks. It is metabolized within mitochondria to produce hippurate, which is then cleared by the kidneys.
Is alkyl benzoate a carcinogen?
Carcinogenicity data were not available, but available data indicated that these alkyl benzoate cosmetic ingredients are not genotoxic. Also benzoic acid and tested component alcohols were not reproductive or developmental toxicants, are not genotoxic in almost all assays, and are not carcinogenic.
Does sodium benzoate lower pH?
Sodium Benzoate is the inactive salt of benzoic acid. It is soluble in water where it converts to benzoic acid, its active form, at a low pH. Benzoic acid is very pH dependent. While it shows some activity up to pH 6 (about 1.55\%), it is most active at pH 3 (94\%)….Info.
| pH | \% Active Benzoic Acid |
|---|---|
| 6 | 1.55 |
| 7 | 0 |
What is the difference between benzoic acid and sodium benzoate?
The key difference between benzoic acid and sodium benzoate is that benzoic acid is the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid whereas sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid. However, both these are organic compounds because both these compounds have an aromatic benzene ring, substituted with a carbonyl group.
Where is Sodium benzoate used?
Sodium benzoate is a preservative, with the E number E211. It is most widely used in acidic foods such as salad dressings (i.e. acetic acid in vinegar), carbonated drinks (carbonic acid), jams and fruit juices (citric acid), pickles (acetic acid), condiments, and frozen yogurt toppings.
What can I use instead of Sodium benzoate?
Plant essential oils can be used as natural food preservatives, such as; cinnamon, lemon grass, cumin, coriander, thyme, clove, ginger and jojoba.