Comparing E210 - Benzoic acid vs E460 - Cellulose

Overview

E210 - Benzoic acid

Benzoic acid (E210) is a preservative used to help keep acidic foods and drinks safe and fresh by slowing the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria. It occurs naturally in small amounts in some berries and fermented foods, and is also made for food use under strict purity standards.

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E460 - Cellulose

Cellulose (E460) is a purified plant fiber used in many foods to improve texture and flow. It helps keep powders free‑flowing, adds bulk without adding sugar or fat, and can support a creamy mouthfeel in low‑fat recipes. It is the same carbohydrate that makes up plant cell walls and passes through the human gut largely unchanged.

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Synonyms
E210
Benzoic acid
E460
Cellulose
cellulose powder to prevent caking
cellulose powder added to prevent caking
Functions
preservative
anticaking agentbulking agentcarrierstabilizerthickener
Origins
Plant
Synthetic
Plant
Products

Found in 386 products

Found in 7,310 products

Search rank & volume
#7533.2K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#6346.1K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×12.42
over-aware

×0.92
normal

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

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Popular questions

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Is benzoic acid a strong acid?

    No—it's a weak acid, with a pKa of about 4.2.

  4. What is the melting point of benzoic acid?

    About 122–123 °C (251–253 °F).

  5. 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.

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  1. What is cellulose powder?

    A purified, plant-derived insoluble fiber (E460) ground into a fine powder, used in foods as a carrier, anti-caking agent, thickener, and stabilizer; it isn’t digested by humans.

  2. What is cellulose made of?

    A linear polymer of D-glucose units linked by β-1→4 bonds ((C6H10O5)n). Food-grade cellulose is sourced from plant cell walls, typically wood pulp or cotton.

  3. What is microcrystalline cellulose?

    The microcrystalline form of cellulose (E460(i)), made by acid hydrolysis of purified plant cellulose. It’s used in foods as a bulking agent, anti-caking agent, and stabilizer.

  4. What is powdered cellulose?

    Finely ground purified cellulose (E460(ii)) obtained by mechanically processing plant fibers; it helps prevent caking, adds bulk, and modifies texture in foods.

  5. What is cellulose gum?

    A water-soluble cellulose derivative, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (E466), used as a thickener and stabilizer; it’s related to but distinct from E460 cellulose.

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