Determination of benzoic acid in serum or plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH), a metabolic disorder due to defects in the glycine cleavage system, leads to the accumulation of toxic levels of glycine. Glycine levels in these patients may be lowered by sodium benzoate treatment. Benzoic acid binds to glycine to form hippurate, which is subsequently eliminated through the kidneys.