Question

Identify the correctly matched pair from the following:

• A.
• B.
• C. Salt of propanoic acid – Antioxidant
• D. Veronal – Analgesic

Hint:

Sodium benzoate is a widely used food preservative that prevents bacterial and fungal growth in acidic foods.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding Chemical Compounds
- The given structure corresponds to sodium benzoate, which is a well-known food preservative. Step 2: Checking Other Options
- The first structure is not an antibiotic; antibiotics are typically complex organic molecules. - Propanoic acid salts (such as sodium propionate) are used as food preservatives, not antioxidants. - Veronal is a barbiturate sedative, not an analgesic. Thus, the correct answer is the food preservative. \bigskip

Answer 2

The compound shown in the image is sodium benzoate with the chemical formula C₆H₅COONa. It consists of a benzene ring attached to a carboxylate group (COONa).

1. Structure and Identity:
Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid. It is formed by the neutralization of benzoic acid with sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
C₆H₅COOH + NaOH → C₆H₅COONa + H₂O

2. Properties:
- It is a white crystalline solid.
- It is highly soluble in water.

3. Use as a Food Preservative:
- Sodium benzoate is widely used in the food industry as a preservative.
- It is effective in acidic foods and drinks like fruit juices, soft drinks, pickles, and sauces.
- It prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi.

4. Mechanism of Action:
- In acidic environments, sodium benzoate converts to benzoic acid, which is the active form.
- Benzoic acid inhibits microbial growth by affecting enzyme function inside the microbial cells.

5. Safety:
- It is approved for use by food safety authorities like the FDA.
- It is generally used in concentrations up to 0.1 percent in food products.

Conclusion:
The compound sodium benzoate is correctly matched as a food preservative due to its antimicrobial properties and wide usage in preserving food products.