Tert-Butylhydroquinone

Tertiary butyl hydroquinone is a highly effective antioxidant. In food, tertiary butyl hydroquinone is used as an antioxidant for vegetable oils and a variety of edible animal fats. It does not change color when exposed to iron, nor does it change the taste or smell of food. It can also be used with other preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Its E code as a food additive is E319. It is widely used in food because it can extend the shelf life. In industrial production, it can be used as a stabilizer to inhibit the self-polymerization of organic peroxides. It can also be added to biofuels as an anti-corrosion agent. In perfumes, TBHQ can be used as a fixative to inhibit volatility and improve stability. In addition, it is also used in paints, varnishes and resins.
It has excellent antioxidant properties and has stronger antioxidant capacity than BHT, BHA, PG (propyl gallate) and vitamin E; it can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Brevibacterium aerogenes, and microorganisms such as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor, and Aspergillus flavus. The antioxidant function of TBHQ is much better than that of conventional antioxidants. As for plant chemicalbook oils, the antioxidant capacity is in the following order: TBHQ>PG>BHT>BHA. Adding TBHQ to food can not only delay the oxidation and deterioration of oils and fats, but also inhibit a variety of microorganisms. It can be used as an antioxidant in edible oils and fats, fried foods, dried fish products, biscuits, instant noodles, quick-cooking rice, canned dried fruits, pickled meat products, and can also be used in cosmetics.