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Benzene from Citric Acid and Sodium Benzoate?
It states here that even citric acid and SB can give benzene.Should I reformulate? -
15 Replies
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It all depends on how much Citric Acid and how much Sodium Benzoate you are using in your formulation? I’ve seen products on the shelf that do include Sodium Benzoate and Ascorbic Acid from well-known companies.
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Sodium benzoate is well regulated, in beverages max 300 mg max if Im not mistaken, now citric can be incorporated in larger quantities in food and beverages, now I think that the trigger here is the pH which usually is very low (2.8-4.5).
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Citric acid in combination with Sodium Benzoate will not lead to the formation of Benzene but you should be careful using Ascorbic acid and Citric acid in the same formulation, because Citric acid could accelerate the formation of Benzene. Even using Ascorbic acid and Sodium Benzoate in your formulation will not necessarily produce Benzene you will need additional conditions leading to the formation of Benzene.
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Would it be of concern if a product preserved with sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, with citric acid as a pH adjuster, is simply layered on the face over a product containing L-ascorbic acid? Or is the concern of benzene formation only if they are all in the same product and have time to sit there together? Thanks!
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I don’t see the point of using sodium benzoate when potassium sorbate will get the job done safely and efficiently.
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@Belassi I don’t know how often people use sodium benzoate to preserve their products. The problem is that many ingredients, especially botanical extracts, come preserved with Potassium Sorbate/Sodium Benzoate.
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the key phrase in that paper is “metal catalyzed” - the reaction won’t happen unless there’s iron present
if you use deionised water (which, as far as I know, many food manufacturers don’t), the concentration of iron and other metals is virtually nil, as is the probability of this reaction occurring
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After re-reading the article, I really don’t think you have anything to worry about, particularly if you add a chelating agent to your formulation as the author noted that the addition of EDTA inhibited the reaction. And, as Bill_Toge points out, the reaction is “metal catalysed” by either iron or copper. So, add a chelating agent and the potential issue is pretty much resolved.
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Yes, MarkBroussard&Bill_Toge, you are right, there is nothing to worry about, I will just use a chelating agent. The reaction can’t take place without a metal catalyst that can produce a hydroxyl radical.
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@david its just a report and it isnt in paper form, is it authentic?
@bill_toge here iron is catalyst and isnt necessary in formation of benzene -
@nasrins, it would take a very powerful reducing agent to reduce benzoic acid to benzene without assistance from a catalyst; ascorbic acid on its own is simply not that powerful
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@ nasrins what do mean with “just a report”? it is a peer-reviewed scientific article. This is usually viewed as the most authentic source of science.
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what if you use sodium
benzoate in a deodorant with essential oils that contain vitamin c example lavender or bergamot? by applying
our underams how can we be 100% certain that in the long run it will not cause cancer or other health issues? -
This is BS!!
Search archive of posts. Better chance of death by meteorite.
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Haha ok. I actually did search, but didn’t see anything about sodium benzoate plus citric acid PLUS L-ascorbic.
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