Methyl Paraben E218 is a preservative that appears as a white crystalline powder. It is an antimicrobial agent that is mainly used in baked good, creams, pastes, jams and jellies, syrups, processed vegetable oils, seasonings, dairy products, and beverages. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Methyl Paraben E218?
Methylparaben E218 has been used as a preservative in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries for over 50 years. The chemical formula for methyl paraben is C8H8O3. It is also found naturally in fruits like blueberries where it has antimicrobial activity.
Possible Side Effects of Methyl Paraben E218
Although Methyl Paraben E218 generally regarded as a very safe and effective supplement, there can be some minor side effects. The side effects may:
-
Male Fertility
Skin and Eye Damage
Breast Cancer
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Methyl Paraben E218 is considered safe.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Methyl Paraben populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Methyl Paraben E218.
Related Research
1. Four Polymorphs of Methyl Paraben: Structural Relationships and Relative Energy Differences. [Cryst Growth Des. 2013 Mar 6] Author: Gelbrich T, Braun DE, Ellern A, Griesser UJ.
2. Crystal engineering of pharmaceutical Co-crystals: application of methyl paraben as molecular hook. [J Am Chem Soc. 2010 Apr 14] Author: Khan M, Enkelmann V, Brunklaus G.
3. Mechanism of enhanced dermal permeation of 4-cyanophenol and methyl paraben from saturated aqueous solutions containing both solutes. [Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2010] Author: Romonchuk WJ.
4. Combined activation of methyl paraben by light irradiation and esterase metabolism toward oxidative DNA damage. [Chem Res Toxicol. 2008 Aug] Author: Okamoto Y, Hayashi T, Matsunami S, Ueda K, Kojima N.
5. Simultaneous identification and quantification by liquid chromatography of benzethonium chloride, methyl paraben and triclosan in commercial products labeled as grapefruit seed extract. [Pharmazie. 2007 Aug] Author: Avula B, Dentali S, Khan IA.