Topic > Tert-butylhydroquinone (THBQ): a synthetic antioxidant widely used in food products

One type of synthetic antioxidant, widely used in food products, is tert-butylhydroquinone (THBQ). It is an aromatic organic compound that is a type of phenol. It is a derivative of hydroquinone, replaced with a tert-butyl group. In the market, this antioxidant is sold in the form of a white powder with a slight odor. The code number of this additive is E319. TBHQ, which is the shortened name for tert-butylhydroquinone, is used in fats, including vegetable oils and animal fats. Therefore, it is also found in a wide range of processed foods as they contain some fats. For example, crackers, noodles, and fast, frozen foods. Manufacturers add TBHQ to frozen seafood products at high concentrations. Manufacturers not only mix it with food, but also spray it on the surface of the product. It can also be sprayed on the outer packaging of foods as well. This food additive can be found in coffee creamer, peanut butter, bread, chewing gum, chocolate products, soft candy, and so on. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayBased on the Centers for Science in the Public Interest, government-designed research, found that this antioxidant increases the incidence of tumors in rats. And according to the National Library of Medicine, some cases of vision impairment have been reported when humans consume TBHQ. Liver enlargement, neurotoxic effects, seizures, and paralysis are findings from the TBHQ study in laboratory animals conducted by the National Library of Medicine. Consuming high doses (between 1 and 4 grams) of TBHQ can lead to several symptoms such as delirium, nausea, collapse, vomiting, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Scientists suggest it could cause hyperactivity in children as well as asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis. It can also make attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms more severe and cause restlessness. Estrogen levels in women could be affected by the presence of THBQ. In toxicity studies, high-dose, long-term administration of TBHQ in laboratory animals was associated with the development of cancerous precursors in the stomach, as well as DNA damage. But unlike other synthetic antioxidant additives, it did not cause lung injury in laboratory animals. However, according to a study published in the June 2008 issue of "Carcinogenesis," TBHQ can make tumor cells resistant to chemotherapeutic agents, while a study published in the June 2014 issue of "Food Chemistry" demonstrated that TBHQ can fragment DNA and cause damage to the human organism. lung and umbilical cells. The Food and Drug Administration has mandated that the amount of THBQ must not exceed 0.02% of the total oils present in foods. Consuming 1 g of TBHQ could cause symptoms ranging from nausea to collapse, while 5 g is a lethal dose for humans. The FDA limits mean that consumers must eat more than 11 pounds of Chicken McNuggets, a kind of American fast food, to reach a 1 gram dose of TBHQ. Since it does not accumulate in the body over time, you need to consume 11 pounds of this fast food in one meal. Please note: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In addition to this, a survey by the World Health Organization found that the average intake of TBHQ in the United States is approximately 0.62 mg/kg of body weight. This is approximately 90% of the daily dose.