Potassium benzoate
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Potassium benzoate, the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is a food preservative that inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria. It works best in low-pH products, below 4.5, where it exists as benzoic acid.
Acidic foods and beverages such as fruit juice (citric acid), sparkling drinks (carbonic acid), soft drinks (phosphoric acid), and pickles (vinegar) are preserved with potassium benzoate.
It is approved for use in most countries including Canada, the U.S., and the EU, where it is designated by the E number E212. In the EU, it is not recommended for consumption by children.[1]
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[edit] Mechanism of food preservation
The mechanism of food preservation begins with the absorption of benzoic acid into the cell. If the intracellular pH changes to 5 or lower, the anaerobic fermentation of glucose through phosphorfructokinase is decreased by 95%.[2]
[edit] Safety and health
In combination with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), sodium and potassium benzoate may form benzene, a known carcinogen. Heat, light and shelf life can affect the rate benzene is formed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently (as of March 2006) performing tests, but the Environmental Working Group is calling for FDA to publicly release all tests and use their authority to force companies to reformulate to avoid the potential benzene forming combination.[3]
[edit] In Pop Culture
Potassium benzoate is an unfortunate additive to the toppings of the free, cursed frogurt Homer Simpson receives with his purchase of an evil Krusty the Clown doll in the Treehouse of Horror III episode of The Simpsons.
[edit] Trivia
Cats have a significantly lower tolerance to benzoic acid and its salts than rats and mice.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Bindu Nair (2001). "Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate". Int J Tox (20 (Suppl. 3)): 23-50.
- ^ Krebs HA, Wiggins D, Stubbs M (1983). "Studies on the mechanism of the antifungal action of benzoate". Biochem J (214): 657-663.
- ^ Press Release from the Environmental Working Group
- ^ Bedford PG, Clarke EG (1972). "Experimental benzoic acid poisoning in the cat". Vet Rec (90): 53-58. PMID 4672555
