Spectrophotometric Determination of Benzoic Acid

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Spectrophotometric Determination of Benzoic Acid Concentration in Non-diet Soft drinks Abstract The concentrations of benzoic acid in non-diet soft drinks (sprite, 7-up and virgin lime) was determined using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Experimentally, the benzoic acid acquired a λmax of 220 nm. By setting the photometric mode at 220 nm, sprite obtained 142.200 ppm, 7-up attained 170.425 ppm and 141.300 ppm for virgin lime. INTRODUCTION Non diet soft drinks are beverages that contain sweetener, carbonated water, flavouring agent and food preservative. Manufacturers of soft drink commonly used benzoic acid or sodium benzoate as food preservatives. Non diet soft drinks lack aspartame, a sugar substitute used in diet soft drinks. Benzoic acid is converted into its salt sodium benzoate through neutralization with sodium hydroxide. Sodium benzoate is rather used than benzoic acid as anti-microbial agent in food and beverages because of the solubility effect. Sodium benzoate is approximately 200 times more soluble than benzoic acid. There are benefits of benzoic acid. Benzoic acid inhibits the growth of molds, bacteria and yeasts in food. Benzoic acid is also used as expectorants, antiseptics and analgesics. Large intake of benzoic acid leads to some harmful effects. The salt, sodium benzoate, is a possible cause of DNA and hyperactivity. Excessive dosage of benzoic acid can cause liver damage and kidney problems. The amount of benzoates combined to foods and beverages is prudently controlled due to the toxicity of benzoic acid. Codex Alimentarius is an international treaty ordaining food standards which restricts the amount of benzoic acid and sodium benzoate to the range of 0.05 to 0.01 percent by volume. UV-Vis spectrophotometer is an instrument which measures the intensity of light as a function of wavelength of compounds or group compounds. This

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