Sodium Benzoate

Sodium benzoate (English name: Sodium benzoate), also known as sodium benzoate, is an organic compound and the sodium salt of benzoic acid. Its chemical formula is C7H5O2Na, with a molar mass of 144.10 g/mol and a density of 1.44 g/cm³.^[1] Sodium benzoate appears as white granules or crystalline powder, odorless or with a slight benzoin-like odor. It is highly soluble in water, with its aqueous solution being slightly alkaline, slightly soluble in ethanol, and soluble in glycerol and methanol. It absorbs moisture when exposed to air. It reacts with acids to precipitate benzoic acid, reacts with carbonates to produce bubbles, and can also react with bases and vitamin C. Industrially, sodium benzoate is prepared using the benzoic acid method. It is commonly used as a preservative, corrosion inhibitor, etc., and is widely applied in fields such as water treatment, food, and medicine.^[2-3]

In addition, benzoic acid and its salts are broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, but their antibacterial effectiveness depends on the pH of the food. Their bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects increase with the acidity of the medium, while they lose their antibacterial efficacy in alkaline media. The optimal pH range for their preservative action is 2.5–4.0.