Benzoic acid is a monobasic carboxylic substance isolated in the 16th century by sublimation of benzoic resin.
It is a natural compound. Contained in cranberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, cherry tree bark. It is found in bound form in mёde. Interestingly, benzoic acid is formed during the microbial decomposition of N-benzoylglycine in fermented dairy products (kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, curdled milk).
The structural formula of the aromatic compound is C6H5COOH.
Benzoic acid exhibits antimicrobial, antifungal effects: it prevents the growth of bacteria of butyric fermentation, yeast, inhibits the activity of enzymes of pathogenic microbes. Due to its antiseptic properties, it is used in the food industry as a natural preservative (E210) in the manufacture of food and beverages.
Application
In appearance, benzoic acid is oblong white crystals that have a characteristic luster. At a temperature of 122 degrees Celsius, it turns into a gaseous state. Benzoic acid is soluble in alcohols, water, fats. On an industrial scale, it is produced by the oxidation of toluene. In addition, the substance is obtained from phthalic acid.
Preservative is used in the bakery, confectionery, brewing industries for the production of the following products:
- fruit and vegetable purees;
- soft drinks;
- berry juices;
- fish products;
- canned fruits, olives;
- ice-cream;
- jam, jam, jam;
- canned vegetables;
- margarine;
- chewing gum;
- sweets and sugar substitutes;
- gourmet caviar;
- dairy products
- liquor, beer, wine.
Antiseptic, antibacterial abilities of benzoic acid are used in the pharmacological industry for the production of antifungal medications, ointments for scabies. And special baths for feet with the use of organic compounds relieve excessive sweating, fungus feet. In addition, benzoic acid is added to cough syrups, as it has expectorant properties and liquefies sputum.
As a preservative substance, it is used in cosmetics to preserve the beneficial properties and extend the shelf life of creams, lotions, and balms. Due to the strong whitening properties, the compound is part of the masks, the action of which is aimed at ridding the face of freckles, irregularities on the skin, pigment spots.
Impact on health
When ingested, benzoic acid reacts with protein molecules, turning into N-benzoylglycine (hippuric acid). After transformation, the compound is excreted in the urine. This process “loads” the human excretory system, therefore, in order to avoid harm to health, the legislation of each state establishes the permissible rate for the use of acid in the manufacture of food. Today it is allowed to use up to 5 mg of the substance per 1 kg of finished products. Exceeding the allowable indicator is prosecuted by law and imposes a ban on the sale of such products.
The harm of benzoic acid is not only an increase in the load on the kidneys. It is the “progenitor” of a dangerous carcinogenic substance: pure benzene can be formed from it, which provokes the growth of malignant neoplasms. It takes a very high temperature to turn acid into poison.
Isolation of benzene in the human body from the benzoic compound is impossible. However, it is not recommended to heat the preserved products that are not intended for this, and then to eat them, as this may lead to food poisoning.
Remember, the E210 preservative, even in a meager amount (up to 0,01 mg), has a detrimental effect on pets: it undermines health, worsens well-being. Therefore, before feeding your pet, make sure that the product does not include benzoic acid, otherwise the consequences can be extremely tragic.
The activity of the compound decreases in the presence of glycerol, proteins, non-ionic surfactants. In case of contact with the skin, it causes redness and irritation, and inhalation of the aerosol causes nausea, vomiting, convulsive cough, runny nose. Therefore, when working with the substance and its salts, use personal protective equipment (rubber gloves, clothing, anti-dust respirators), follow personal hygiene measures.
Simultaneous intake of foods rich in ascorbic and benzoic acids leads to the formation of toxic free benzene. Therefore, the minimum interval between taking such products (soft drinks and citrus fruits) is two hours.
Excess and disadvantage
The allowable daily intake of benzoic acid for an adult without harm to health is determined based on the calculation: 5 mg of organic matter per kilogram of body weight.
An overdose of benzoic acid impairs the functioning of the liver, kidneys, lungs, causes mental problems. A person has signs of asthma, an allergic reaction (swelling, rash), the thyroid gland is disturbed.
A lack of acid in the body causes digestive upset, headaches, and depression. In humans, the metabolism is disturbed, weakness, irritability occurs, hair becomes brittle. As a result of a prolonged lack of a “natural preservative,” anemia occurs.
The body’s need for a compound decreases with a low level of blood clotting, at rest, with pathologies of the thyroid gland and increases with allergies, blood clots, and infectious diseases.
Interestingly, benzoic acid (within normal limits) improves milk production in lactating women.
Benzoic acid salts
Consider what benzoates are, their properties and applications:
- Ammonium benzoate. It is an inorganic compound of benzoic acid and ammonium salt. Has no color, it is well dissolved in ethanol, water. The structural formula is NH4 (C6H5COO). Used as an antiseptic (prevents decomposition on the surface of open wounds), a preservative in the food industry to increase the shelf life of products, a stabilizer in the manufacture of adhesives, latex and corrosion inhibitor.
- Lithium benzoate. This is a white crystalline salt of lithium and benzoic acid. The chemical formula of the compound is C6H5 – COOLi. It has a sweetish taste, odorless, soluble in water. Used in pharmacology as a normochemical agent for the normalization of the mental state. It has an anti-manic, sedative, anti-depressive effect. This effect is due to the fact that lithium ions displace sodium ions from cells, reducing the bioelectric activity of brain neurons. As a result, the level of serotonin in the tissues decreases, the concentration of norepinephrine increases, the sensitivity of the hippocampal neurons to the action of dopamine increases. In therapeutic concentrations, it reduces the concentration of neuronal inositol and blocks the activity of inosyl –1 – phosphatase.
- sodium benzoate. It acts as a food additive, registered under the code E211, belongs to the group of preservatives. The structural formula is C6H5COONa. The sodium salt of benzoic acid has a characteristic faint smell of benzaldehyde, white color. The preservative inhibits the growth of mold fungi, including aflatoxin-forming yeasts, and reduces the activity of enzymes that break down starch, triglycerides.
In natural products, sodium benzoate is found in apples, mustard, raisins, cranberries, and cinnamon. It is used for canning fruit, berries, fish, meat products, sweet carbonated drinks. Included in the expectorant, cosmetic products.
Remember, sodium benzoate can disrupt the DNA region in mitochondria and cause neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson’s disease, and liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the use of supplements Е211, due to insecurity for human health, has been rapidly declining in recent years.
Thus, benzoic acid and its salts are organic additives used in the food, pharmacological, aviation and cosmetology industries as a preservative. To maintain health, you need to eat foods containing E210 strictly in moderation. The safe dose is 5 mg of the substance per kilogram of body weight. Otherwise, oversaturation of the body with benzoic acid can cause allergic reactions, damage to the nervous system.