Background: SODIUM BENZOATE is one of the chemical products that is used as a preservative in foods, canned foods, juices, and beverages. In this research, teratogenic effects of SODIUM BENZOATE with two different doses on rat fetus were studied.Materials and Methods: This experimental research was conducted on 15 rats with 250-350 grams weight which were divided into three groups. Two does of 9.3 and 18.6 mmol/kg of SODIUM BENZOATE diluted in normal saline were injected intrapritoneally to groups one and two of experimentally pregnant rats in days 7, 8, and 9 of injection respectively. Normal saline was injected only to the control group. In day 20, the height and weight of all the fetuses, and also the weight and diameter of their placentas were measured. Then, their appearance was studied using stereomicroscope. Tissue sections were prepared and stained using hematoxiline eosin. Finally, fetus parameters were statistically analyzed in three groups by variance analyzing test.Results: The results showed that the height and weight of fetuses in the sample groups had reduced significantly in comparison with that of control group (P<0.05), and there was a significantly higher prevalence of death among fetuses in the sample groups in comparison with control group. However, no histological changes were observed in the tissues. Conclusion: SODIUM BENZOATE can reduce the weight and height of rat fetuses. Other researches on its amount in canned foods are recommended. Also pregnant women are advised not to consume foods containing SODIUM BENZOATE up to the second month of pregnancy.

Background: Doogh is a fermented beverage in which microbial spoilage is possible. Benzoic acid and its salt (SODIUM BENZOATE) are added to Doogh as antimicrobial preservative to control microbial spoilage. However, the use of this preservative has been prohibited in milk and dairy products in Food and Drug Administration and Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine SODIUM BENZOATE concentration in Doogh distributed in Isfahan, Iran.Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, the SODIUM BENZOATE concentration of 36 samples of 3 brands of Doogh (A, B, and C) distributed in Isfahan in 2015 were assessed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Collected data were analyzed using ANOVA in SPSS software. All P values of smaller than or equal to 0.05 were considered significant. Findings: Results showed that the highest and lowest concentrations of SODIUM BENZOATE were found in brand C and A Doogh with amounts of 4.84 ± 0.55 and 4.03 ± 0.11 ppm, respectively. SODIUM BENZOATE was detected in all Doogh samples. A significant difference was observed in SODIUM BENZOATE concentration between the 3 different dairy brands (P<0.001).Conclusion: The existence of low concentrations of SODIUM BENZOATE in all Doogh samples may be due to the natural occurrence of this compound in yoghurt and its transfer to Doogh. Furthermore, due to the great difference of the detected SODIUM BENZOATE in the current study with the permitted amount in Codex International Standard for Fermented Drinks (300 mg/kg), it the suggested to define the permitted level of SODIUM BENZOATE in Doogh based on national nutritional pattern.

Background and Objectives: SODIUM BENZOATE mouthrinses named Plax have been introduced to the market which claimed that their use before brushing enhances dental plaque reduction through their ability to decrease the adherence of plaque to the teeth. Recently, a similar product has been introduced to the Iranian market. Since studies on Plax have contradictory results and the effectiveness of this type of domestic product has not been investigated adequately, this study was conducted to evaluate the plaque removal effects of this mouthrinse.Materials and Methods: A total of 50 dental students volunteered in this study. The volunteers were prohibited from any plaque control for 36 hours before the study. In the first appointment, after recording of plaque index, brushing was done by the investigator with an identical brush and similar method. In the next appointment procedures were the same as the previous step except for the subjects used for mouthrinse before brushing. The data were analysed by paired comparison t-test. Results: There was no significant difference between mean plaque index reduction with using the mouthrinse (1.47) and not using it (1.44) (p=0.422).Conclusion: with the limits of the present study it can be concluded that a single rinsing with pre-brushing mouthwash may not improve plaque removal efficacy of brushing.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or arthritis is the most common systemic inflammatory disease of the joints and one of the chronic autoimmune diseases. The global prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis has been reported at 1%. SODIUM BENZOATE (NaB) is a cinnamon metabolite used as a food preservative. This study aimed to evaluate the changes of CD52 in the animal model of rheumatoid arthritis treated with NaB. Moreover, it was attempted to investigate the relationship between serum CD52 and RA severity. Materials & Methods: The male rats were divided into four groups of healthy, RA, RA treated with NaB, and RA treated with prednisolone. The RA was induced by intradermal injection of heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis suspended in the Freund's incomplete adjuvant. During two weeks, from the 10th to 23rd days after RA induction, the disease progression was assessed through macroscopic examinations, including walking ability, redness of the skin, as well as swelling at the ankle, wrist, and small joints of the fingers. Clinical, radiological, and histological symptoms, as well as the serum protein levels of CD52, were also investigated in this study. Ethics code: IR. sums. med. rec. 1398. 353 Findings: According to the results, the overall activity and walking ability of the RA rats decreased, compared to the healthy control group. Moreover, the severity of RA clinical symptoms was significantly reduced in the group treated with NaB and prednisolone, compared to the control group. There were no significant differences among the groups regarding the serum levels of CD52. . Discussion & Conclusions: There were no significant differences among the groups regarding the serum change of CD52 expression level indicating that the mechanism of the effect of NaB was not induced by CD52.

Introduction: SODIUM BENZOATE (SB), as a chemical preservative, is used in many kinds of foodstuff. Some studies reported toxicity effects of SB in food products and suggested to limit its usage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of SB on antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidney of mice. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 animals were divided into four groups: Control group and three treated groups that received 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg/day of SB, respectively, in drinking water for 4 weeks. The malondialdehyde level, glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities of the liver and kidney were measured and the results of the treated groups were compared with those of the control group (one-way analysis of variance). Results: Results showed that SB caused histological alterations in the liver and kidney tissues. Moreover, SB significantly increased lipid peroxidation and GSH content in the kidney tissues (P  <  0. 05). Also, CAT activity significantly declined in the kidney (P  <  0. 05), without changing the SOD activity, but SB did not have any effect on the biochemical parameter of the liver tissue. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that SB caused kidney injury more than liver injury, but as a food preservative, which is consumed for a long period of life, it may cause liver damage additionally. For that reason, the excessive SB intake in the food is disturbing.

Introduction: Belonging to the family of Lamiaceae, peppermint (Mentha Piperita L.) is a therapeutic and aromatic herb whose extract has various applications in food, cosmetic, hygienic and pharmaceutical industries.Materials and Methods: The level of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Menthapiperita L. essential oil and a chemical preservative used in food industries (SODIUM BENZOATE) were determined against three microorganisms E. coli (PTCC 1330), Bacillus subtilis (PTCC 1254) and Salmonella typhinurium (PTCC 1622).Results: The results showed that MIC of Mentha piperita L. essential oil for the above microorganisms is 1000 ppm, while MIC of SODIUM BENZOATE on Salmonella typhimurium (PTCC 1622) is 3000 ppm and on the other two, E. coli (PTCC 1330) and Bacillus subtilis (PTCC 1254)) is 3500 ppm.Conclusion: Considering the results it was concluded that the essential oil of peppermint has stronger antimicrobial activity as compared to SODIUM BENZOATE.