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Butylated hydroxytoluene
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is the organic compound with the formula MeC6H2(CMe3)2OH (Me = methyl). This lipophilic (fat-soluble) phenol is primarily used as an antioxidant food additive (E number E321) as well as in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, and embalming fluid. Additional recommended knowledge
ChemistryBHT is produced by alkylation reaction of p-cresol with isobutylene. The species behaves as a synthetic analogue of vitamin E, primarily acting as a terminating agent that suppresses autoxidation, a process whereby unsaturated (usually) organic compounds are attacked by atmospheric oxygen. BHT stops this autocatalytic reaction by converting peroxy radicals to hydroperoxides. It effects this function by donating a hydrogen atom:
where R is alkyl or aryl, and where ArOH is BHT or related phenolic antioxidants. One can see that each BHT consumes two peroxy radicals.[1] In the chemical industry it is added to tetrahydrofuran and diethyl ether in order to inhibit the formation of dangerous organic peroxides. Use in foodsBHT was patented in 1947 and received approval of the Food and Drug Administration for use as a food additive and preservative in 1954. BHT reacts with free radicals, slowing the rate of autoxidation in food, preventing changes in the food's color, odor, and taste.[2] BHT is found in cereal, chewing gum and food high in fats such as potato chips and shortening.[3][4] ControversyConcerns have been raised about the use of BHT in food products.[citation needed] The compound has been banned for use in food in Japan (1958), Romania, Sweden, and Australia. The US has barred it from infant foods.[citation needed] Some food industries have voluntarily eliminated it from their products. However, BHT is also marketed as a health food supplement in capsule form. In different studies, BHT has been reported to cure some cancers, but to encourage others. BHT is well studied because of public concern over synthetic preservatives. BHT was largely removed from food in the 1970s, to be replaced with the less well studied BHA. References
See also
Categories: Antioxidants | Phenols | Fuel antioxidants | Food antioxidants |
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Butylated_hydroxytoluene". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |