HPLC Method for the Determination of Benzoic acid in samples of commercial children’s food in the Markets of Aden -Yemen

The objective of this study was to determine the quantities of benzoic acid in some local and imported food products for the distributed children in Aden, Yemen. Samples of different food products for children (32) using HPLC method, were collected in August 2022, from different supermarkets in Aden, Yemen. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C-18 column (EXCGL 120 ODS-A) and acetate buffer pH=4.4 - methanol (65:35) as mobile phase, 1 ml/min flow rate and UV detection at 233 nm. The results show that quantities of benzoic acid in studied samples varies greatly starting from 1.778 ppm to 849.295ppm, All samples of group II beverages and Juices samples and group III jam samples were under the study contain concentrations of benzoic acid within the limits allowed by standards of Yemeni and World Health Organization and the estimated maximum allowable benzoic acid in beverages, Juices and jam to 1000 ppm. All samples of the groups I and V cakes and food for children mainly manufacturers of grain, The samples that were under the study contain concentrations of benzoic acid and it is difficult to compare the amount of benzoic acid in samples of two groups with international standards, regional and local non-existence. All samples of the group IV dry milk and cheese samples under study contain concentrations of benzoic acid within the limits allowed according to the standard specifications of Yemen and specifications of the World Health Organization (WHO), which determined the maximum allowable of benzoic acid in dry milk at 50 ppm and the maximum allowed for benzoic acid in the cheese is 2000 ppm, except for sample No. 28 contains a concentration is higher than the allowable limit.