Sodium benzoate and its usage
Sodium benzoate is white crystalline or granular, or colorless powder, which is soluble in water, ethanol, glycerin and methanol. It is odorless or slightly fragrant, with a sweet astringent taste.
Sodium benzoate is naturally found in blueberries, apples, plums, cranberries, prunes, cinnamon and cloves. Its sterilization ability is weaker than benzoic acid because 80g sodium benzoate's bactericidal capability is equivalent to about 1g benzoic acid. In acidic environment, sodium benzoate has obvious inhibitory effect on a variety of microorganisms. When pH is 3.5, 0.05% solution can completely inhibit the growth of yeast, but when pH is above 5.5, it has poor effect on many molds and yeasts. It has little effect in an alkaline solution.
The product can be used as food additive (preservative), bactericide in medical industry, antimicrobial agent, mordant in dye industry, plasticizer in plastic industry, and intermediate in organic synthesis such as perfume.
Sodium benzoate is often added to toothpaste to inhibit and kill bacteria because of its strong inhibitory effect on yeast and bacteria.
