Acids as preservatives

Composition of Emulsion, The prototype oil/water emulsion described in Table I contained ingredients typical of a large number of cosmetic products, although simplified somewhat to avoid analytical problems. The aqueous phase contained sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as emulsifier, 0,2% (19 n ) DEA as precursor to NDEIA and 0,1% benzoic acid as preservative. 

Goger and Gokcen [19] developed a quantitative method for the determination of miconazole in cream formulations that contain benzoic acid as preservative by second order derivative spectrophotometry. The procedure was based on the linear relationship in the range 100—500 pg/mL between the drug concentration and the second-derivative amplitudes at 276 nm. Results of the recovery experiments performed on various amounts of benzoic acid and the determination of miconazole in cream confirmed the applicability of the method to complex formulations. 

In the use of weak acids as preservatives, their pK value and the pH value of the food are very important for the application because only the undissociated molecule can penetrate into the inside of the microbial cell. Accordingly, weak acids are suitable preferably for acidic foods. 

Chem. Descrip. Hydrated mono- and diglycerides, polysorbate 60 (10.8%), sodium stearoyl lactylate, and propionic acid, phosphoric acid (as preservatives)... 

Chem. Descrip. Mono- and diglycerides, polysorbate 60 with BHA, and citric acid as preservatives Ionic Nature Nonionic Chem. Analysis 31% alpha monoglyceride... 

NHydroxyben2oic acid is of significant commercial importance. The most familiar application is the use of several of its esters as preservatives, known as parabens. Also of interest is the use in liquid crystal polymer applications. 

Benzoic Acid. Ben2oic acid is manufactured from toluene by oxidation in the liquid phase using air and a cobalt catalyst. Typical conditions are 308—790 kPa (30—100 psi) and 130—160°C. The cmde product is purified by distillation, crystallization, or both. Yields are generally >90 mol%, and product purity is generally >99%. Kalama Chemical Company, the largest producer, converts about half of its production to phenol, but most producers consider the most economic process for phenol to be peroxidation of cumene. Other uses of benzoic acid are for the manufacture of benzoyl chloride, of plasticizers such as butyl benzoate, and of sodium benzoate for use in preservatives. In Italy, Snia Viscosa uses benzoic acid as raw material for the production of caprolactam, and subsequendy nylon-6, by the sequence shown below. 

Sodium and potassium benzoate are substances that may be added direcdy to human food and are affirmed as GRAS (33—35). Benzoic acid and sodium and potassium benzoate are now used as preservatives in such foods as sauces, pickles, cider, fmit juices, wine coolers, symps and concentrates, mincemeat and other acidic pie fillings, margarine, egg powder, fish (as a brine dip component), bottled carbonated beverages, and fmit preserves, jams, and jellies. The popularity of diet soft drinks has led to increased demand for both benzoate salts. 

Salts of neodecanoic acid have been used in the preparation of supported catalysts, such as silver neodecanoate for the preparation of ethylene oxide catalysts (119), and the nickel soap in the preparation of a hydrogenation catalyst (120). Metal neodecanoates, such as magnesium, lead, calcium, and zinc, are used to improve the adherence of plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) sheet to safety glass in car windshields (121). Platinum complexes using neodecanoic acid have been studied for antitumor activity (122). Neodecanoic acid and its esters are used in cosmetics as emoUients, emulsifiers, and solubilizers (77,123,124). Zinc or copper salts of neoacids are used as preservatives for wood (125). 

Beet extract is also used as a colorant. Extract is sold as either a concentrate prepared by evaporating beet juice under vacuum to a total soHds content of 40—60%, or as a powder made by spray-dryiag the concentrate. Both products usually contain ascorbic or citric acid as a stabilizer, and a preservative such as sodium propionate. On a dry-weight basis, beet extract typically contains between 0.4 and 1.0% betanin, 80% sugar, 8% ash, and 10% cmde proteia. 

Perfumes, Flavors, Cosmetics, and Soap. Many naturally occurring esters in essential oils and some synthetic esters are important fragrance and flavor compounds (61,62). They are used in perfumes, flavors, cosmetics, soaps, detergents, and air fresheners. Benzyl, butyl, ethyl, methyl, and phenyl esters of benzoic acid are used as flavors, perfumes, and food preservatives. Glyceryl 4-aminobenzoate [136-44-7] and 2-ethyUiexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate [21245-02-3] are used in cosmetic sunscreen preparations. Alkyl esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, called parabens, have been used under various names for fungus infections of the skin, and as preservatives in lotions and creams (101). Soap and cosmetic fragrances use large amounts of amyl and benzyl saHcylate. Benzyl saHcylate [118-58-1] is also used in deodorant sprays. 2-Ethylhexyl saHcylate [118-60-5] and 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate [5466-77-3] are used in sunscreen formulations (102). 

Some simple foods can be preservatives in their own right. Honey, salt, sugar, lactic acid, and vinegar are all examples of foods that inhibit microbial action. Some health professionals recommend consuming phytoestrogens from foods such as soybeans to achieve various health benefits. The phytoestrogens in the paraben family, found in blueberries, kill molds and fungi and are often added to food as preservatives. 

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