General Description
Odorless white crystals or crystalline powder. Tasteless, but numbs the tongue. Aqueous solutions slightly acidic to litmus.
Reactivity Profile
N-BUTYL-P-HYDROXYBENZOATE(94-26-8) is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and strong caustics.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data for this chemical are not available; however, N-BUTYL-P-HYDROXYBENZOATE is probably combustible.
Description
In vivo anti-trypanosomal activity of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridiness in the STIB900 mouse model has been investigated.
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.
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.
Production Methods
Butylparaben is prepared by esterification of p-hydroxybenzoic acid
with n-butanol.
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.
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
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
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.
