ethylparaben

Ethylparaben (also known as ethyl hydroxybenzoate or E214) is a paraben-class compound widely used as an antimicrobial preservative in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products. It is the ethyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and acts by inhibiting the growth of fungi and bacteria through disruption of microbial cell membranes and inhibition of key enzyme systems. Ethylparaben is rapidly absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract or skin and metabolized to p-hydroxybenzoic acid before excretion. It has a broad spectrum of activity against molds, yeasts, and bacteria over a wide pH range (pH 4–8). There are concerns about its weak estrogenic activity at high exposure levels[1][3][5][8].

Other names

ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoateethyl4-hydroxybenzoateethyl-4-hydroxybenzoatebenzoic acid 4-hydroxy-ethyl ester