tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ, tertiary butylhydroquinone) is a synthetic aromatic organic compoundwhich is a type of phenol. It is a derivative of hydroquinone, substituted with a tert-butyl group.

Applications[edit]

Food preservative[edit]

In foods, TBHQ is used as a preservative for unsaturated vegetable oils and many edible animal fats. It does not cause discoloration even in the presence of iron, and does not change flavor or odor of the material to which it is added.[1] It can be combined with other preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). As a food additive, its E number is E319. It is added to a wide range of foods. Its primary advantage is extending storage life.

Other[edit]

In perfumery, it is used as a fixative to lower the evaporation rate and improve stability.

It is used industrially as a stabilizer to inhibit autopolymerization of organic peroxides.

It is used as an antioxidant in biodiesel.[2]

It is also added to varnishes, lacquers, resins, and oil-field additives.