Comparing E210 - Benzoic acid vs E281 - Sodium propionate
Overview
Synonyms
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Found in 386 products
Found in 2,565 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is benzoic acid soluble in water?
Only sparingly—about 3 g per liter at room temperature; its solubility increases in hot water and it dissolves readily in many organic solvents.
Is benzoic acid polar?
It has a polar carboxyl group but a nonpolar aromatic ring, so overall it’s only weakly polar; its benzoate salt is much more polar and water‑soluble.
Is benzoic acid a strong acid?
No—it's a weak acid, with a pKa of about 4.2.
What is the melting point of benzoic acid?
About 122–123 °C (251–253 °F).
Is benzoic acid bad for you?
At approved food levels it’s considered safe, with an ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight/day; some people may experience irritation or hypersensitivity, and benzene formation in certain acidic drinks is monitored and kept very low.
Is sodium propionate bad for you?
Generally no: it’s a permitted preservative (GRAS in the U.S.; approved in the EU) with low toxicity at typical food levels. High amounts may cause stomach upset and add sodium, and people with the rare disorder propionic acidemia may need to limit it.
"what is the ph of a 0.26 m solution of sodium propionate"?
About pH 9.1 at 25°C (it’s the salt of a weak acid, so its solution is mildly basic).
5. sodium acetate and sodium propionate are poor soaps. why?
Because they’re salts of very short‑chain fatty acids (C2 and C3), they’re too water‑soluble to act as effective surfactants and don’t form stable micelles, so they clean and foam poorly.
How do sodium benzoate and sodium propionate keep yeast and fungus from growing?
They act as weak‑acid preservatives: in acidic foods the undissociated acid enters cells, acidifies the cytoplasm, and disrupts energy metabolism and enzyme function, inhibiting yeasts and molds. Benzoate works best below about pH 4.5; propionate is especially effective against molds in baked goods at mildly acidic pH.
How much sodium propionate in baking?
Typically about 0.1–0.3% of flour weight (≈1–3 g per kg flour) under good manufacturing practice to inhibit mold; higher levels can affect yeast activity and flavor. Check local regulations for permitted maxima.