sodium benzoate
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun A white, crystalline salt (chemical formula: C₇H₅NaO₂) used primarily as a food preservative and antiseptic. It is the sodium salt of benzoic acid.
Usage
"Sodium benzoate" is used as a compound noun. It refers specifically to the chemical substance. * It is commonly found in the ingredient lists of processed foods and beverages to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds. * It also has applications in medicine as a topical antiseptic and in some pharmaceuticals as a preservative.
Examples
- Food Preservation:
- Ingredient Label:
- Pharmaceutical Use:
Advanced Usage
- Chemical Interaction: In acidic conditions, sodium benzoate can convert to benzoic acid, which is its active antimicrobial form. This is often discussed in food science contexts.
- The effectiveness of sodium benzoate increases in acidic beverages like sodas and fruit juices.
Variants and Related Words
- Benzoic Acid (noun): The organic acid from which sodium benzoate is derived. It is also used as a preservative but is less soluble in water.
- Preservative (noun): A general term for substances, like sodium benzoate, that prevent spoilage.
- E211 (noun): The code for sodium benzoate in the European food additive numbering system.
Synonyms
- Food preservative (general term)
- Antimicrobial agent (general term describing its function)
Notes on Meaning
"Sodium benzoate" has a single, specific meaning as a chemical compound. Its usage is technical and context-specific, primarily confined to food science, chemistry, and product labeling. It is not used idiomatically or in phrasal verbs.
Noun
- a white crystalline salt used as a food preservative and antiseptic