Potassium+Benzoate

-__Other Names:__ potassium salt of benzenecarboxylic acid, potassium salt of phenycarboxylic acid

-__Uses__: Preservative, inhibits the growth of mold, yeast, and some types of bacteria, most effective in an environment with a low pH (acidic) and when it is added in the earliest possible processing step. It offers alternative to products that need a low-sodium amount.

-__Found In__: Fruit juice, sparkling drinks, soft drinks, low-sugar jams, marmalades, jellies, and in the fluid used to store pickles

-__Forms__: In an environment lower then 4.5 pH, Potassium Benzoate exists as Benzoic Acid

-__Mechanism__: If Benzoic Acid is absorbed into a cell, the cell's pH is dropped to 5 or lower. When this happens, anaerobic fermentation of glucose is decreased by approximately 95%, increasing the time it takes for the substance to spoil.

-__Molecular Formula__: media type="custom" key="233783" width="62" height="73"

-__Molar Mass__: 160.21171 g/mol

-__Characteristics:__ White Crystaline Solid, oderless, can come in powder form

-__Family:__ Salt of an aromatic carboxylic acid

-__Manufacturing__: Occurs naturally is some plants, manufactured by reaction of toluene and oxygen at temperatures of about 200C, magnesium and cobalt are present in the reaction and act as catalysts

-__Health Concerns__:When in the presence of ascorbic acid, the two substances combine to form benzene a substance known to cause cancer. The rate of benzene production can be increaased by heat, light, and shelf life. The FDA is currently performing tests on the substance to inusre that it's present state in food products it is not harmful to humans. The FDA is also making companies reformulate to avoid the benzene forming combination. People who have asthma or urticaria (skin disease) could see that their have allergic reactions or that their symptoms get worse after taking in benzoic acid. In the UK, potassium benzoate was described as "a mild irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes."

-__CAS Number:__ 582-25-2

-__Retailers__: Quingado Lambert Holdings Co., Ltd.