Question

Sodium benzoate has its application in:
A. Food preservation
B. pharmacy
C. fireworks
D. fuel in whistle mix

Answer 1

Food preservatives are the chemical compounds which when added to the food items helps to preserve them i.e. make them last longer. The preservatives make the food safe by preventing the growth of moulds and bacteria in the food.

Complete Step by step answer: Sodium benzoate is an aromatic chemical compound with chemical formula ${C_7}{H_5}Na{O_2}$. It is a colourless and odourless crystalline powder. It is not found naturally so is produced by the neutralisation reaction of benzoic acid with sodium hydroxide.
Due to its antibacterial properties the compound sodium benzoate is used as preservatives and as also in pharmacy. The parent compound of sodium benzoate, i.e. the benzoic acid itself is a good preservative. But when added to the sodium hydroxide it increases its solubility in different solvents. So the salt formed i.e. sodium benzoate works more efficiently as the food preservative. The mechanism of dissociation works behind the preservation of food items. When added to the food items it gets dissociated into benzoic acid and sodium chloride. The development of bacteria is inhibited by the benzoic acid and sodium chloride as both are toxic for the microbes.
It is also used in fireworks. It works as a fuel in a whistle mix. Therefore, we can say all the options are correct.

Hence, option (A), (B), (C) and (D) are the correct options.

Note: Thus, sodium benzoate is a sodium salt of benzoic acid produced by the neutralisation reaction of benzoic acid and sodium hydroxide. It is used as food preservative as it controls the growth of bacteria and moulds. Also, it helps to prevent fatty food items from becoming rancid. Although the compound sodium benzoate is not found naturally but benzoic acid is found naturally in various plants and animals.