Benzoic acid is the simplest type of the aromatic hydrocarbon that forms a crystalline acid. Benzoic acid hydrocarbon salts are used as food preservatives. The benzoic acid is occurring naturally as a free radical and as the ester form in many types of plants & animals. The gum of Benzoin is where the Benzoic acid is being derived from. Benzoic acid is the product produced by an apple if infected with a fungus. Organic chemical compounds are actually produced with Benzoic Acid that functions as an essential chemical starter. Benzoic acid had been discovered as early as the 1500′s. Salkowski was the one who had discovered in 1875 the antifungal properties of Benzoic acid. When Toluene is partially oxidized, it produces a lot of Benzoic acid and this is what’s done for commercial production. Benzoic acid is being used in other chemicals like the Benzoyl Chloride. Benzoyl Chloride is an important starting chemical to produce other Benzoic acid acid. When the food label reads E210 to E213 then that means that they are using the Benzoic Acid & salts as food preservative. A lot of sauces have Benzoic acid in its ingredients. Benzoic acid will help preserve food as it prevents bacteria, molds and yeast.

Whitfield’s ointment contains the Benzoic acid ingredient. One of the ingredients you can find in several lotions for acne treatment is Benzoic acid. One of the derivatives of Benzoic acid is the Benzoyl Peroxide which is a famous anti-acne chemical. When the Benzoyl Peroxide touches the skin it reacts and breaks down to H2O2 and Benzoic Acid. Sodium benzoate is a lot more soluble if compared to benzoic acid. Soft drinks and other liquid products usually contain sodium benzoate as a preservative with antimicrobial property. Sodium Benzoate is one of the food preservatives commonly used today but it also has its own share of controversies. Sodium benzoate is the preservative used by a lot of soft drink brands to stop spoilage and bacterial growth. A lot of liquid vitamins also contain the potassium and/or the sodium benzoate ingredient. Some are concerned about the possible reaction of ascorbic acid and benzoic acid & salts concerning about the end product. Benzene could be formed when sodium benzoate reacts with vitamin C or the ascorbic acid that’s also found in food. Liver is where the sodium benzoate is processed and metabolized. Benzoic acid is a much better antimicrobial chemical but sodium benzoate is the most commonly used substance. Once the molten benzoic acid’s vapor mixed with air, it could lead to an explosion. Don’t contact benzoic acid to your skin as this could cause swelling, itching and redness.