→ Benzoic acid is primarily made endogenously by gut bacteria acting upon dietary polyphenols.

→ Benzoic acid acts as an acidifier and can inhibit pathogenic microorganisms.

→ Benzoic acid is found in broccoli, pepper (C. annuum), fruits, corn. It is also an additive.

→ Hippuric acid is the main metabolite of benzoate.

→ Benzoic acid + butyrate-CoA ligase = butyryl-CoA + glycine + glycine N-benzoyltransferase (GLYAT) → hippuric acid 

→ Phenylacetic acid and benzoic acid have been proposed as a way to modulate release of glycine, glutamine/glutamic acid, and taurine, as a neuroregulatory process.

→ Phenylacetic acid and benzoic acid have both been used clinically to scavenge glycine and glutamine for the purpose of excess nitrogen excretion in urea cycle defects.

Benzoic acid and hippuric acid are formed from the bacterial metabolism of polyphenols. Urinary benzoic acid may also come from ingestion of food preservatives such as sodium benzoate. Hippuric acid is made when sodium benzoate is conjugated with glycine.

Benzoic Acid was one of the compounds first found to be elevated in urine from patients with intestinal bacterial overgrowth of various origins.

Benzoylform is also known as Phenylglyoxylic Acid and a marker for Styrene exposure. Styrene is a chemical used to make latex, synthetic rubber, and polystyrene resins. These resins are used to make plastic packaging, disposable cups and containers, insulation, and other products. Styrene is also produced naturally in some plants.

Breathing high levels of styrene may cause changes in color vision, tiredness, feeling drunk, slowed reaction time, concentration problems, or balance problems. Hearing loss has been observed in animals exposed to very high concentrations of styrene.

Styrene used in insulation, fiberglass, plastic pipes, automobile parts, shoes, drinking cups and other food containers, and carpet backing.

Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to styrene include the following:

• Workers in the reinforced plastics industry
• Workers involved in styrene polymerization
• Factory workers in rubber manufacturing
• Workers in industries that use styrene polyester resin
• Employees of photocopy centers

→ Benzoylformate has been associated with metabolism of adrenaline and noradrenaline, and phenylketonuria.

→ In a review of 2005–2006 and 2011–2012 NHANES data (N=4690), smokers had 2-fold and 1.6-fold higher levels.

→ Eating more vegetables and fruit was associated with decreased levels.

Beryllium ores are used to make speciality ceramics for electrical and high-technology applications, also used in nuclear weapons and reactors, aircraft and space vehicle structures, instruments, x-ray machines, and mirrors.

Beryllium alloys are used in automobiles, computers, sports equipment (golf clubs and bicycle frames), and dental bridges. Lung damage has been observed in people exposed to high levels of beryllium in the air. Beryllium blocks several hepatic enzyme systems. Marcotte and Witschi (l972) suggested that this element binds to chromatin and interferes with DNA synthesis. Preventive measures such as avoiding skin contact with beryllium to prevent sensitization are most important. Careful irrigation and debridement are recommended for wounds.

Urinary beryllium (Be) provides an estimate of a recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. After assimilation Be is slowly excreted in urine and may be found elevated many months after high level exposure.

Be is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, but is readily absorbed across the lungs and skin. Inhalation is the primary route of significant exposure to Be, and may be associated with dyspnea, cough and pulmonary distress (berylliosis). Berylliosis, is an occupationally acquired lung disease that is associated with primary production, metal machining, and reclaiming scrap alloys. Other high-exposure occupations are in the nuclear power, aerospace, and electronics industries.

Beryllium is a silvery-white metal that is lighter than aluminum but stronger than steel. Its strength-to-weight ratio, reflectivity, transparency to X-rays, thermal stability and conductivity, and high melting point makes it an essential material in the defense, nuclear, aerospace, medical, information technology, and telecommunications industries.

Beryllium is toxic as both a skin irritant and an inhaled substance and can result in dermatitis, acute pneumonitis, and chronic pulmonary disease. The first signs of serious or life-threatening acute beryllium exposure may involve difficulty breathing, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Despite increasing governmental regulations limiting exposure to beryllium in high-risk occupations, any amount of beryllium can cause short-term and long-term diseases. 

Fecal beryllium (Be) provides an estimate of a recent oral exposure to the element. Be is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, but is readily absorbed across the lungs and skin. Inhalation is the primary route of significant exposure to Be, and may be associated with dyspnea, cough and pulmonary distress (berylliosis). Berylliosis, is an occupationally acquired lung disease that is associated with primary production, metal machining, and reclaiming scrap alloys. Other high-exposure occupations are in the nuclear power, aerospace, and electronics industries. Fecal Be is not diagnostic for berylliosis.

Beryllium is a silvery-white metal that is lighter than aluminum but stronger than steel. Its strength-to-weight ratio, reflectivity, transparency to X-rays, thermal stability and conductivity, and high melting point makes it an essential material in the defense, nuclear, aerospace, medical, information technology, and telecommunications industries.

Beryllium is toxic as both a skin irritant and an inhaled substance and can result in dermatitis, acute pneumonitis, and chronic pulmonary disease. The first signs of serious or life-threatening acute beryllium exposure may involve difficulty breathing, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Despite increasing governmental regulations limiting exposure to beryllium in high-risk occupations, any amount of beryllium can cause short-term and long-term diseases. 

Beryllium ores are used to make speciality ceramics for electrical and high-technology applications, also used in nuclear weapons and reactors, aircraft and space vehicle structures, instruments, x-ray machines, and mirrors.

Beryllium alloys are used in automobiles, computers, sports equipment (golf clubs and bicycle frames), and dental bridges. Lung damage has been observed in people exposed to high levels of beryllium in the air. Beryllium blocks several hepatic enzyme systems. Marcotte and Witschi (l972) suggested that this element binds to chromatin and interferes with DNA synthesis. Preventive measures such as avoiding skin contact with beryllium to prevent sensitization are most important. Careful irrigation and debridement are recommended for wounds.

The diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea or otorrhea (leakage of CSF into the nose or ear canal, usually as a result of head trauma, tumor, congenital malformation, or surgery) is often difficult to confirm. Traditional chemical analyses (eg, glucose, protein, specific gravity) are unreliable. Radiographic studies, especially those involving the injection of dyes or radiographic compounds, are costly and may introduce additional risks to the patient.

β-alanine is a breakdown product of carnosine and anserine, which are dipeptides from meat consumption. Although β-alanine’s properties are limited, its relationship to carnosine makes it important. Both have antioxidant properties. And, as previously mentioned, carnosine is critical for pH buffering in skeletal muscle during exercise, but its formation can be limited by enzymatic factors.

For this reason, supplementation with β-alanine is sometimes used to enhance carnitine and therefore improve athletic performance. In addition to diet and supplementation, β-alanine can also be endogenously produced. This occurs via degradation of uracil in the liver but it can also be made by intestinal bacteria such as E. coli.

Beta-aminoisobutyric acid (also known as 3-aminoisobutyric acid) is a non-protein amino acid formed by the catabolism of valine and the nucleotide thymine. It is further catabolized to methylmalonic acid semialdehyde and propionyl-CoA. Levels are controlled by a vitamin B6-dependent reaction in the liver and kidneys. β-aminoisobutyric acid can also be produced by skeletal muscle during physical activity.