Overview
Benzoic acid (e210) - a preservative used in the food industry.
Description and characteristic
The acid was first isolated in the 16th century using the method of sublimation of benzoic resin. In the 19th century, the Germans were able to determine the structure of the acid, investigated its Expectalin and compared its characteristics with hippuric acid. As a result, in the second half of the 19th century, the antimicrobial effect of benzoic acid was revealed. And in the 20th century, it began to be widely used for canning foods.
By its physical properties, benzoic acid represents needles or shiny white monoclinic leaves that melt at a temperature of 122 degrees Celsius. The acid is highly soluble in water, fats and Brevoxyl ethyl alcohol.
From a chemical point of view, the preservative can be attributed to monobasic carboxylic acids of the aromatic series. E210 - a natural substance that is found in a number of berries: cranberries, blueberries, lingonberries. She is in honey in a bound form. Benzoic acid is formed in fermented dairy products such as yogurt or yogurt, as a result of microbial decomposition of hippuric acid. It is also found in some essential oils, for example, in cloves. The antimicrobial properties of benzoic acid are based on the inhibition of enzyme activity in microbial cells.
Synthetically, acid is obtained during the oxidation of mixture. At the moment, this method of producing acid is the most common and is considered the most profitable, since the raw materials for this are inexpensive, and the process itself does not have a negative impact on the environment.
Previously, benzoic acid was also obtained by acid hydrolysis of benzotrichloride and decarboxylation of phthalic acid with the action of catalysts. But now this method of obtaining acid is not relevant.
The use of benzoic acid
In the food industry, the properties of benzoic acid are used in the confectionery, brewing and baking industries. Use it in the preparation of margarines, preserves, fruit juices, vegetable pickles, pickled fish, dairy products, chewing gums, ice cream, seasonings, liquors, sweets and sugar substitutes.
In addition, along with ethers and salts, e210 is also here in the cosmetics industry. Open link the form of benzyl benzoate, it is used in pharmaceuticals (added to ointments against scabies).
For therapeutic purposes, acid is used as a fungicidal and antimicrobial agent. It is added to many cough medicines, as it plays the role of an antiseptic and has an expectorant effect. The E210 supplement has proven itself in treating foot sweating and fungal skin diseases.
Benzoic acid is widely used in the chemical industry. So, in the synthesis of many organic substances, acid often plays the role of the main reagent.
The effect of benzoic acid on the human body
Preservative E210 is generally well absorbed by the human body and interacts with protein compounds, forming hippuric acid, Brevoxyl the form of which the body excretes it by the kidneys.
According to some oral, e210 can interact with ascorbic acid, forming a strong carcinogen - free benzene. Therefore, products containing ascorbic acid and the addition of e210 should be avoided.
In Russia, there is a strictly defined dosage for the preservative e210 in food. Its amount should not exceed 5 mg / kg, show the acid adversely affects the condition of the kidneys and liver.
Benzoic acid is a monobasic carboxylic substance isolated in the 16th century by sublimation of benzoic resin.
She is a natural compound. Contained in cranberries, blueberries, lingonberries, raspberries, cherry tree bark. It is found in honey when bound. Interestingly, benzoic acid is formed during the microbial decomposition of N - benzoyl glycine in fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, yogurt).
The structural formula of the aromatic compound is C6H5COOH.
Benzoic acid exhibits an antimicrobial, antifungal effect: it prevents the growth of bacteria of fermented fermentation, yeast, inhibits the activity of enzymes of pathogenic cells. Due to its antiseptic properties, it is used in the food industry as a natural preservative (E210) in the manufacture of food products and beverages.
Application
In appearance, benzoic acid is elongated white crystals that have a characteristic sheen. At a temperature of 122 degrees Celsius passes into a gaseous state. Brevoxyl 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 benzotrichloride, phthalic acid.
Preservative is used in the baking, confectionery, brewing industries for the production of the following products:
