Comparing E210 - Benzoic acid vs E302 - Calcium ascorbate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 386 products
Found in 0 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Awareness data is not available.
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 calcium ascorbate bad for you?
No—at the small amounts used in foods it isn’t considered harmful and can provide vitamin C (and a little calcium). Very high supplemental intakes may cause stomach upset, and people prone to kidney stones or with iron overload should be cautious with high vitamin C.
What is calcium ascorbate made from?
It’s the calcium salt of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Industrially, ascorbic acid is made by fermenting plant-derived glucose, then neutralized with a calcium source (e.g., calcium carbonate or hydroxide) to form calcium ascorbate.
Is calcium ascorbate safe?
Yes—it's approved in the EU, US, and Australia/New Zealand and is generally recognized as safe at normal food-use levels. Excessive supplemental doses may cause gastrointestinal upset.
Is calcium ascorbate synthetic?
Usually yes: it's produced via microbial fermentation of sugars followed by chemical neutralization with calcium, rather than being extracted directly from plants.
What is calcium ascorbate used for?
It’s used as an antioxidant to slow oxidation and browning, helping preserve flavor and color (e.g., in beverages, fresh-cut produce, and meats), and to fortify foods with vitamin C (and some calcium).