Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, produced by the neutralization of benzoic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is one of the most widely used preservatives in the global food and beverage industry due to its excellent solubility in water and strong antimicrobial activity at acidic pH levels. Sodium benzoate is most effective below pH 4.5, where it converts to undissociated benzoic acid that penetrates microbial cell membranes and inhibits metabolic enzymes.
The ingredient is particularly important in the preservation of carbonated beverages, fruit juices, and acidic condiments. It is often used in combination with potassium sorbate to achieve broad-spectrum preservation against both bacteria and fungi. Sodium benzoate is approved for food use in virtually all global regulatory frameworks and is recognized as GRAS by the U.S. FDA.
