Effect of Benzoic Acid and Combination of Benzoic with Citric Acid as Food Additives on the Renal Function of Experimental Rats

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of oral administration of benzoic acid and combination of benzoic with citric acid (1:1 v/v) on the renal functions of white American rats. Twenty one rats were divided in to seven groups (3 rats each). One group serves as a control. The rest of the 6 groups were differently treated (at rates of 100, 500 and 1250 mg kg-1 body weightwere applied) with benzoic acid and benzoic plus citric acid. Compared to the control, significant (p≤0.05) gradual increase in the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels in the rats with increasing the dose of benzoic acid and benzoic with citric acid was observed. Results also revealed an insignificant difference in serum creatinine and urea nitrogen on administering benzoic acid or its combination with citric acid. Kidney changes in the rats received different doses of benzoic acid and combination of benzoic with citric acid was observed.