Methylparaben
Template:Short description <templatestyles src="Chembox/styles.css"/>
Template:Chembox AllOtherNamesTemplate:Chembox headerbarTemplate:Chembox IndexlistTemplate:Chembox JmolTemplate:Chembox ChEMBLTemplate:Chembox ECHATemplate:Chembox E numberTemplate:Chembox IUPHAR ligandTemplate:Chembox UNIITemplate:Chembox CompToxTemplate:Chembox headerbarTemplate:Chembox headerbarTemplate:Chembox headerbarTemplate:Chembox Datapage checkTemplate:Chembox FooterTemplate:Chembox Footer/trackingScript error: No such module "TemplatePar".Template:Short description
Methylparaben (methyl paraben) one of the parabens, is a preservative with the chemical formula Template:Chem2. It is the methyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Several related esters are known (ethyl-, propyl-, butylparaben). Together they are the most common preservatives in cosmetics and foods. Among their advantages, parabens are inexpensive, colorless, stable, odorless, and readily biodegraded.[2]
Natural occurrences
Methylparaben serves as a pheromone for a variety of insects[3] and is a component of queen mandibular pheromone.
It is a pheromone in wolves producedScript error: No such module "Unsubst". during estrus associated with the behavior of alpha male wolves preventing other males from mounting females in heat.[4][5]
Uses
Methylparaben is an anti-fungal agent often used in a variety of cosmetics and personal-care products. It is also used as a food preservative and has the E number E218.
Methylparaben is commonly used as a fungicide in Drosophila food media at 0.1%.[6] To Drosophila, methylparaben is toxic at higher concentrations, has an estrogenic effect (mimicking estrogen in rats and having anti-androgenic activity), and slows the growth rate in the larval and pupal stages at 0.2%.[7]
Safety
Methylparaben is practically non-toxic by both oral and parenteral administration in animals.[8] In a population with normal skin, methylparaben is practically non-irritating and non-sensitizing; however, allergic reactions to ingested parabens have been reported.[8] A 2008 study found no competitive binding for human estrogen and androgen receptors for methylparaben, but varying levels of competitive binding were seen with butyl- and isobutyl-paraben.[9]
Some controversy exists about whether methylparaben or propylparabens are harmful at concentrations typically used in body care or cosmetics.[10] Methylparaben and propylparaben are considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the USFDA for food and cosmetic antibacterial preservation.[11] Methylparaben is readily metabolized by common soil bacteria, making it completely biodegradable.
Methylparaben is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract or through the skin.[8] It is hydrolyzed to p-hydroxybenzoic acid and rapidly excreted in urine without accumulating in the body.[8]
Methylparaben applied on the skin may react with UVB, leading to increased skin aging and DNA damage.[12][13]
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- Methylparaben at Hazardous Substances Data Bank
- Methylparaben Script error: No such module "webarchive". at Household Products Database
- European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Products Extended Opinion on the Safety Evaluation of Parabens (2005) [1]