Uses Of Benzoic Acid

What is Benzoic acid?

Benzoic acid (C7H6O2) was first described in the 16th century. The name was derived from gum benzoin. It is a crystalline organic compound. It is white and belongs to the family of carboxylic acid. It was first prepared from coal tar. It is used in various ways, like manufacturing of insect repellents, below are some uses of benzoic acid in our life.

Uses Benzoic acid

When formaldehyde is dissolved in water, it is called formalin. This formalin is used as a disinfectant in industries, preservative in some food products, funeral home etc. It is commonly used as PH adjuster and also controls the growth of microbes as a preservative. Benzoic acid uses in different forms are:

  • Used in food
  • Used in medicine
  • Used in treatment

Benzoic acid in food:

Food with naturally occurring benzoic acid – ripe cloves, most berries and cinnamon. E210 is used in the preservation of food. Example – salad dressings, soft drinks, fruit juices and pickles. Usually processed food has benzoic acid to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mould and yeast

Uses of benzoic acid in medicine and healthcare:

Benzoic acid 210 is used in pharmaceuticals. It is used as a preservative in drugs. It is also present in baby products, skin products, cleansing products, hair and nail products, soaps, bath products, detergents etc.

Uses of benzoic acid in treatment:

It helps in the prevention of bacterial infection. It is used as an antifungal for treating diseases like ringworm and athlete’s foot. It is excreted as hippuric acid after conjugation with glycine in the liver. The excreted hippuric acid is not highly toxic. It is used in the treatment of skin irritation caused by insect bites, burns etc.

Other uses of benzoic acid:

Used in toothpaste, jam, beverages, poultry, agriculture, perfume, dye etc.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What is benzoic acid used for?

In industrial environments, benzoic acid is most widely used to produce a wide range of products such as perfumes, dyes, topical drugs and insect repellents. The salt of benzoic acid (sodium benzoate) is widely used as a food pH adjuster and preservative, stopping microbes from developing to keep food healthy.

Q2

Is benzoic acid good for face?

Benzoic acid helps prevent bacteria from developing infections. The body is aided by salicylic acid to shed rough or dead skin cells. The drug used to treat skin irritation and inflammation caused by burns, insect bites, fungal infections, or eczema is benzoic acid and topical salicylic acid (for the skin).

Q3

What does sulphur do to your skin?

To help absorb excess oil (sebum) that can lead to acne breakouts, sulphur helps dry out the surface of your skin. To help unclog the pores, it even dries off dead skin cells. Along with other acne-fighting additives, some products contain sulphur, such as resorcinol.

Q4

Is benzoic acid a carcinogen?

The notion that benzoic acid is unlikely to be carcinogenic is backed by evidence on its precursors. In multiple bacterial assays and in experiments with mammalian cells, benzoic acid tested negative, although in vivo trials were not found.

Q5

What form of benzoic acid is used as preservative?

Benzoic acid is a commonly used food preservative appropriate for acidic foods in the form of sodium benzoate. Benzoic acid is frequently used at levels of 0.05 to 0.1 percent in conjunction with sorbic acid.

This was a brief on benzoic acid application. To know more such benzoic acid uses download the BYJU’S – the learning app.

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