Key Uses of Benzoic Acid:
Food Preservation (E210): Used to preserve jams, jellies, pickles, soft drinks, and fruit juices by inhibiting yeast, mold, and bacteria growth.
Pharmaceutical/Antifungal: Acts as an antifungal and antibacterial agent, frequently used in ointments like Whitfield's ointment to treat skin infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm.
Cosmetics & Personal Care: Serves as a preservative in products like lotions, mouthwash, lip gloss, and toothpaste.
Industrial Applications:
Plasticizers: Used to produce benzoyl plasticizers.
Chemical Intermediate: Used in the production of phenol, benzoyl chloride, and various dyes.
Lubricants: Acts as a corrosion inhibitor and reduces evaporation rates in greases.