Quantitatation of Benzoic and Sorbic Acids in Some Processed Foods of Korea

Benzoic acid (BA) and sorbic acid (SA) are the preservatives most commonly used in food. Although BA and SA are generally safe, some previous studies have shown that consumption of excessive amounts of these food additives can be a health hazard. The aim of this study was to determine the amounts of BA and SA in processed foods in Korea. Different brands of fruit juice, yogurt, cheese, dried fruits, jam, and margarine were purchased at a local market in Daejeon, Korea. Samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a UV detector. Chromatographic separation was achieved with a C18 column. Methanol acetate buffer (pH 4.4) at a 35:65 v/v ratio was used as the initial mobile phase to elute BA and SA. The detector wavelength was set at 254 nm. The average test results observed for BA concentrations in fruit juice, yogurt, cheese, dried fruits, jam, and margarine were , , , , , and , respectively. Average concentrations of SA in these samples were , , , , , and , respectively. Thus, the average levels of BA and SA in the studied food items were lower than the KFDA-permitted limits. Moreover, the estimated daily intake of both BA and SA by a typical consumer were below the maximum recommended daily values.