Ammonium Benzoate is an ammonium salt of benzoic acid used as a functional ingredient in selected formulation systems. It is identified by CAS Number 1863-63-4, molecular formula C₇H₉NO₂, and molecular weight 139.15 g/mol. Published chemical references describe Ammonium Benzoate as a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water.
For cosmetic and personal care applications, Ammonium Benzoate is associated with the preservative function. The EU cosmetic preservative annex specifically includes ammonium benzoate among salts of benzoic acid covered by preservative provisions.
Ammonium Benzoate is formed from benzoic acid and ammonia and consists of an ammonium cation and benzoate anion. Its water solubility makes it relevant to formulation systems where a water-compatible benzoate ingredient is required.
The substance is also known as Benzoic Acid, Ammonium Salt or Ammonii Benzoas. PubChem records CAS 1863-63-4 and EC 217-468-9 for the compound.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Ammonium Benzoate is primarily relevant for its preservative function. Preservative ingredients are used in cosmetic formulations to help control the growth of microorganisms and support the microbiological quality of products during their intended use.
The effectiveness of a benzoate-based preservative system depends on factors such as formulation pH, concentration, water activity, packaging, other preservation ingredients and the overall formulation environment. Therefore, Ammonium Benzoate should be evaluated as part of the complete preservation system rather than considered independently.
Depending on formulation requirements and applicable regulations, Ammonium Benzoate may be considered for selected:
Its water solubility can be useful when developing aqueous formulation systems. Published reference data describe Ammonium Benzoate as soluble in water, with historical data reporting approximately 19.6 g/100 mL at 14.5°C and 83.3 g/100 mL at 100°C. Actual formulation solubility should be verified under the intended processing conditions.
pH:
The preservative performance of benzoic-acid-derived ingredients is influenced by formulation pH. The final product pH should therefore be evaluated together with the complete preservative system.
Water Solubility:
Ammonium Benzoate is water soluble, making it technically relevant to aqueous formulations. The actual dissolution behavior should be checked during formulation development.
Preservation System:
The ingredient may be used as part of a broader preservation strategy. Compatibility with other preservatives, functional ingredients, fragrances, surfactants and formulation components should be assessed.
Processing:
Manufacturing conditions should be selected to maintain product quality and minimize unnecessary exposure to conditions that could affect the material.
Packaging:
Ammonium Benzoate should be stored in a suitable, tightly closed package under conditions recommended by the applicable product specification and SDS.
Ammonium Benzoate is reported as a white crystalline solid and is soluble in water. It has a molecular weight of 139.15 g/mol and the molecular formula C₇H₉NO₂.
An important storage consideration is that historical chemical references report that Ammonium Benzoate can gradually lose ammonia when exposed to air. This makes appropriate packaging and storage conditions important for maintaining material quality.
The European Union's current preservative annex lists ammonium benzoate under salts of benzoic acid other than benzoic acid and sodium benzoate. The cited provision gives a maximum concentration of 0.5% expressed as acid for the applicable cosmetic preservative entry. This should not be interpreted as a universal concentration limit for every product or every global market; the finished formulation must be assessed against the regulations applicable to its target market and product category.
For EU-related work, the European Commission's CosIng database provides cosmetic ingredient and regulatory information and allows searches using CAS, EC/EINECS and related identifiers.
For commercial cosmetic ingredient supply, the final specification should be based on the actual manufacturing and quality-control documentation for the material being supplied.
Important quality parameters can include:
Where a parameter is not relevant to Ammonium Benzoate or is not part of the actual approved SDP specification, it should not be populated with an invented numerical value.
Ammonium Benzoate should be packed in appropriate moisture- and contamination-protective packaging and kept tightly closed. Storage should follow the product-specific technical specification and Safety Data Sheet.
Because published references indicate gradual ammonia loss on exposure to air, minimizing unnecessary exposure to air and maintaining suitable packaging conditions is particularly relevant to material handling.
Ammonium Benzoate is a benzoic-acid salt with documented use as a preservative cosmetic ingredient. Its water solubility, chemical identity and compatibility with selected aqueous formulation systems make it relevant for personal care and cosmetic formulation development.
For commercial use, formulators should evaluate concentration, pH, compatibility, microbiological performance, packaging and target-market regulatory requirements before incorporating Ammonium Benzoate into a finished cosmetic product.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |