Butylparaben

Description

Butylparaben is an antimicrobial agent used in pharmaceutical suspensions. It is act by inhibiting DNA, RNA, and enzymes (eg, ATPase and phosphotransferase) synthesis. Butylparaben may be used alone or with other parabens, chiefly methylparaben and/or propylparaben, in medications. It is common in many liquid and solid (gel cap) OTC products such as Tylenol, Drixoral, Maalox, and Mylanta. Unfortunately, butylparaben concentrations were seldom identified for OTC or prescription products. No attempt was made to identify butylparaben-containing dietary supplements.

Chemical properties

Butylparaben occurs as colorless crystals or a white, crystalline, odorless or almost odorless, tasteless powder.

The Uses of Butylparaben

preservative in many creams, lotions, ointments and other cosmetics, foods (salad dressings, mayonnaise, spiced sauces, mustard, frozen dairy products, baked products), pharmaceutical preparations and dentifrices. It is active against molds, fungi and yeasts, but less active against bacteria. ICU.

What are the applications of Application

Butyl Paraben is antimicrobial agent used in cosmetic products

Production Methods

Butylparaben is prepared by esterification of p-hydroxybenzoic acid with n-butanol.

Preparation

Butyl paraben is prepared by esterifying p-hydroxybenzoic acid with butyl alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid, and an excess of the specific alcohol.

Definition

ChEBI: Butylparaben is an organic molecular entity. It is a Standardized Chemical Allergen. The physiologic effect of butylparaben is by means of Increased Histamine Release, and Cell-mediated Immunity.

General Description

Odorless white crystals or crystalline powder. Tasteless, but numbs the tongue. Aqueous solutions slightly acidic to litmus.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Butylparaben is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and strong caustics.

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for Butylparaben are not available; however, Butylparaben is probably combustible.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Butylparaben is widely used as an antimicrobial preservative in cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations.
It may be used either alone or in combination with other paraben esters or with other antimicrobial agents. In cosmetics, it is the fourth most frequently used preservative.
As a group, the parabens are effective over a wide pH range and have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, although they are most effective against yeasts and molds.
Owing to the poor solubility of the parabens, paraben salts, particularly the sodium salt, are frequently used in formulations. However, this may raise the pH of poorly buffered formulations. See Methylparaben for further information.

Contact allergens

This substance is one of the parabens family. Parabens are esters formed by p-hydroxybenzoic acid and an alcohol. They are largely used as biocides in cosmetics and toiletries, medicaments, or food. They have synergistic power with other biocides. Parabens can induce allergic contact dermatitis, mainly in chronic dermatitis and wounded skin.

Safety

Butylparaben and other parabens are widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetics and oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations.
Systemically, no adverse reactions to parabens have been reported, although they have been associated with hypersensitivity reactions generally appearing as contact dematitis. Immediate reactions with urticaria and bronchospasm have occurred rarely. See Methylparaben for further information.
LD₅₀ (mouse, IP): 0.23 g/kg
LD₅₀ (mouse, oral): 13.2 g/kg

Metabolism

Not Available

storage

Aqueous butylparaben solutions at pH 3–6 can be sterilized by autoclaving, without decomposition. At pH 3–6, aqueous solutions are stable (less than 10% decomposition) for up to about 4 years at room temperature, while solutions at pH 8 or above are subject to rapid hydrolysis (10% or more after about 60 days at room temperature).

Incompatibilities

The antimicrobial activity of butylparaben is considerably reduced in the presence of nonionic surfactants as a result of micellization. Absorption of butylparaben by plastics has not been reported but appears probable given the behavior of other parabens. Some pigments, e.g. ultramarine blue and yellow iron oxide, absorb butylparaben and thus reduce its preservative properties.
Butylparaben is discolored in the presence of iron and is subject to hydrolysis by weak alkalis and strong acids.

Regulatory Status

Butylparaben is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). In 1998 its pesticide registration status was listed as "cancelled" (U.S. EPA, 2003).
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (injections; oral capsules, solutions, suspensions, syrups and tablets; rectal, and topical preparations). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Nonmedicinal Ingredients.