What is the Difference Between Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate

The main difference between sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate is that sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, while potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid.

Food preservatives are natural or synthetic chemical substances that are added to food to prevent food spoilage, microbial growth, or undesirable chemical changes. Natural methods of food preservation are freezing, canning, and pickling, whereas synthetic methods are the addition of sulfites, benzoate, nitrates, and propylene glycol. Sodium benzoates and potassium benzoates are two food preservatives. They help to increase the shelf life of various products in the food industry.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Sodium Benzoate
      – Definition,  Features, Production
2. What is Potassium Sorbate
      – Definition, Features, Production
3. Similarities – Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

Difference Between Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate - Comparison Summary

What is Sodium Benzoate

Sodium benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. It is a white crystalline chemical that exists as powder. Its molecular formula is C6H5COONa. Other names for this compound are sorbate and benzoic acid sodium salt. Its molecular weight is 144.10. Moreover, it is an organic sodium salt. Its boiling point is in the range of >450 degrees of Celcius to <475 degrees of Celsius, while its melting point is >300 degrees of Celcius. It is freely soluble in water while sparingly soluble in ethanol. It has a relative density of 1.44. In addition, this compound is odorless.

Sodium benzoate is produced by the neutralization of sodium hydroxide with benzoic acid. It is also available in food sources such as fruits and vegetables, particularly berries (bilberry and cranberry), seafood such as prawns, and dairy products (existing as benzoic acid).

Compare Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate - What's the difference?

Sodium benzoate is commonly used as a food preservative. It has the E number 211. It is also helpful as a pickling agent. Additionally, it is present in carbonated drinks, frozen yogurt toppings, jams and fruit juices, and acidic foods such as salad dressings (acetic acid and vinegar). It is also useful as a preservative in cosmetics and medicine. It is effective in the pharmaceutical industry in treating urea cycle disorders as it can bind amino acids, which in turn leads to the excretion of these amino acids and a decrease in ammonia levels. Studies show that sodium benzoate may be beneficial in treating schizophrenia. Sodium benzoate, along with phenylbutyrate, may be effective in treating hyperammonemia.

However, potential health problems associated with sodium benzoate include the potential to convert into cancer agents, inflammation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, appetite control, allergies, and oxidative stress.

What is Potassium Sorbate

Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid. It has a chemical formula CH3CH=CH−CH=CH−CO2K. This chemical appears white. It has a melting point of>270 degrees of Celcius. Its molecular weight is 150.22. This chemical is very soluble in water, and it is odorless. Moreover, its density at 25°C is 1.363. It mostly serves as a food preservative with an E number of 202. It’s popular as a food preservative due to its effectiveness without changing the taste, appearance, and smell.

Potassium sorbate stops the growth of mold, fungi, and yeast. It is also used in food products such as cheese, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, baked goods, pickles, wine, soft drinks, and apple cider. However, it is present naturally in hippophae berries and rowan berries.

Sodium Benzoate vs Potassium Sorbate

It also acts as a preservative and antimicrobial in personal care items such as eyeshadow, shampoos, moisturizers, and contact lens solution. In the industry, potassium sorbate is produced by the neutralization of sorbic acid with potassium hydroxide. Additionally, side effects of the use of potassium sorbate include allergic reactions (which are rare) and low-risk skin irritations.

Similarities Between Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate

  • Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are odorless.
  • Moreover, both compounds are used as food preservatives.
  • Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate compounds are also useful in the cosmetic production industry.

Difference Between Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate

Definition

Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, while potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid.

E Number

The E number of sodium benzoate is 211, whereas the E number of potassium benzoate is 202.

Production

Sodium benzoate is produced by the neutralization of sodium hydroxide with benzoic acid, whereas potassium sorbate is produced by the neutralization of sorbic acid with potassium hydroxide.

Solubility

Sodium benzoate is more soluble in water than potassium sorbate.

pH 

Sodium benzoate is effective in preserving acidic foods, but it is less effective in preserving neutral or alkaline foods. However, potassium sorbate is effective in a wide range of pH levels.

Usage in the Food Industry

Moreover, sodium benzoate is used in preserving acidic foods such as carbonated drinks, fruit juices, and pickles, while potassium sorbate is more commonly used in foods such as dried fruits, cheese, and bakery products.

Side effects

Side effects of using sodium benzoate include converting the compound into cancer agents, inflammation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, appetite control, allergies, and oxidative stress, whereas side effects of potassium sorbate are allergic reactions (which are rare) and low-risk skin irritations.

Conclusion

In brief, food preservatives are natural or synthetic chemical substances manufacturers add to food to prevent food spoilage, microbial growth, or undesirable chemical changes. Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are examples of two such preservatives. Both sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate share similarities and differences among them. The main difference between sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate is that sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, while potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid.

Reference:

1. “Potassium Sorbate.” National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
2. “Sodium Benzoate.” National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Potassium sorbate” By Mrgreen71 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Sodium benzoate 3D” By Kamil9243 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Hasini A

Hasini is a graduate of Applied Science with a strong background in forestry, environmental science, chemistry, and management science. She is an amateur photographer with a keen interest in exploring the wonders of nature and science.

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