8582. Sodium Benzoate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 532-32-1
C7H5NaO2; mol wt 144.10.
C 58.34%, H 3.50%, Na 15.95%, O 22.21%.

Description and references

Toxicity: Smyth, Carpenter, J. Ind. Hyg. Toxicol. 30, 63 (1948).

Chemical structure

Properties

White, odorless granules or crystalline powder; sweetish, astringent taste. One gram dissolves in 1.8 ml water, 1.4 ml boiling water, about 75 ml alcohol, in 50 ml of a mixture of 47.5 ml alcohol and 3.7 ml water. The aq soln is slightly alkaline to litmus. pH about 8. Incompat: Acids, ferric salts. LD50 orally in rats: 4.07 g/kg (Smyth, Carpenter).

Use

Antimicrobial agent, flavoring agent and adjuvant in food; not to exceed a maximum level of 0.1% in food (21 CFR, 184.1733, 582.3733). Antifungal and bacteriostatic preservative in pharmaceuticals at concentrations of ≈0.1%. Clinical reagent (bilirubin assay).

Therapeutic Category

Diagnostic aid (hepatic function).

Keywords

Diagnostic Aid