Benzoic acid

Benzoic acid (CAS 65-85-0), also designated E210 in food and beverage applications, is a naturally occurring organic acid used commercially as a preservative and pH regulator.

Where is Benzoic acid used?

• Food and beverage: E210 controls microbial growth in acidic products such as soft drinks, fruit juices, and condiments.
• Typical applications include fruit-juice-containing soft drinks, pickled preserves, mayonnaise, delicatessen salads, jams and jellies.
• Personal care: preservative and pH adjuster in shampoos, lotions, and liquid soaps.
• Coatings and resins: chain-stopper and catalyst component in alkyd resin production.
• Pharmaceuticals: intermediate in synthesis of active ingredients and preservative in topical preparations.
• Its antimicrobial action against yeasts, moulds, and bacteria makes it a standard functional ingredient.

Typical specification

• Offered in a technical grade.
• The technical grade has low odor, no discoloration, and minimal agglomeration.
• Low solubility in cold water but good solubility in hot water or organic solvents.
• At higher use concentrations it can change the taste of foods, described as a peppery aftertaste.

Regulatory status

• Classified as causing serious eye damage (H318).
• Classified as causing skin irritation (H315).
• Has a harmonised classification under EU Regulation 1272/2008 (CLP).

Frequently asked questions about Benzoic acid

What are the industrial applications of benzoic acid?

It provides corrosion protection and prevents flash rust in automotive coolants and architectural coatings.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.