Synthetic antioxidants are artificially produced or synthesized using various techniques. Generally, they are polyphenolic compounds mainly that capture the free
Synthetic antioxidants are artificially produced or synthesized using various techniques. Generally, they are polyphenolic compounds mainly that capture the free
radicals and stop the chain reactions. Polyphenolic derivatives usually contain more than one hydroxyl or methoxy group. Ethoxy quinine is the only heterocyclic, N-containing compound reported to be used as antioxidant in the food, especially animal feed. Mostly reported synthetic phenolic antioxidants are p-substituted, whereas the natural phenolic compounds are mostly o-substituted. The p-substituted substances are preferred because of their lower toxicity. Synthetic phenolic antioxidants are always substituted with alkyl groups to improve their solubility in fats and oils and to reduce their toxicity. These synthetic compounds possessing antioxidant activity are commonly used in pharmaceuticals, as preservatives for cosmetics and to stabilize the fat, oil, and lipid in food (Gupta and Sharma 2006).
These new findings about the synthetic antioxidants have led the researches to develop new synthetic antioxidants in terms of their water solubility, stability, and non-toxicity. Characteristics of some of the known synthetic antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 6-ethoxy-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline (ethoxyquin), propyl gallate (PG), and tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), are given below (Hamid et al. 2010) (structures of these antioxidants are shown in Fig. 6.3).
It is a monophenolic, lipid-soluble antioxidant, better used for the lipid oxidation in animal fat compared to vegetable oil.
It is also a monophenolic fat-soluble antioxidant but is more stable than BHA at high temperature, and both act synergistically. Many commercially available antioxidant formulations contain both of these antioxidants. BHA interacts with peroxy radicals to produce a BHA phenoxy radical which in turn may remove a hydrogen atom from the hydroxyl group of BHT. BHA is regenerated by the hydrogen radical provided by BHT. The BHT radicals so formed can react with a peroxy radical and act as a chain terminator.
EDTA is a common sequestrant, water-soluble antioxidant added to foods, body care, and household products. It binds with trace minerals, such as copper, iron, and nickel, that may be present in the food product. If not inactivated, these minerals may lead to discoloration, rancidity, and textural breakdown. When added as an antioxidant, EDTA prevents oxygen from causing color changes and rancidity.
It is as an antioxidant primarily used to protect carotenoid oxidation in animal feeds, vegetables, and fruits during storage.
It is an ester formed by the condensation of gallic acid and propanol. It acts as an antioxidant which is used as a food additive to protect mainly oils and fat in the food products.
TBHQ is a highly effective diphenolic antioxidant. In foods, it 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 even change flavor or odor of the material to which it is added. It is used industrially as a stabilizer to inhibit auto-polymerization of organic peroxides. It is also used as a corrosion inhibitor in biodiesel. In perfumery, it is used as a fixative to lower the evaporation rate and improve stability. It is also added to varnishes, lacquers, resins, and oil field additives. It can be used alone or in combination with BHA or BHT (Said et al. 2002).