butylated hydroxyanisole

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic phenolic antioxidant composed of a mixture of two isomers, 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole. It is widely employed as a preservative in food, food packaging, animal feed, cosmetics, and as an excipient in pharmaceuticals to prevent oxidative degradation and extend shelf life. Its primary mechanism involves scavenging free radicals and activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular antioxidant defenses. While classified as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) by the FDA within regulated limits, it is also listed as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" by the National Toxicology Program based on high-dose animal studies, and concerns exist regarding its potential for endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity.

Brand names

Tenox BHASustane 1-FSustane1-FSustane-1-FEmbanoxNipantiox 1-FNipantiox1-FNipantiox-1-FProtexAntioxine B

Other names

2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (mixture)tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenoltert-butyl4-methoxyphenoltert-butyl 4-methoxyphenol(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-4-methoxyphenoltert-butyl-p-methoxyphenolt-butyl hydroxyanisolemono-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisolemono-tert-butyl4-hydroxyanisolemono-tert-butyl 4-hydroxyanisolebutylhydroxyanisole