Propyl Paraben

Product Details

CasNo： 94-13-3

MF： C10H12O3

Appearance： powder

Delivery Time： 15 days

Packing： 25kg/bag

Purity： 99%

1. Basic Information

• English Name: Propyl Paraben; Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
• Chinese Name: 对羟基苯甲酸丙酯；尼泊金丙酯
• CAS Number: 94-13-3
• Molecular Formula: C₁₀H₁₂O₃
• Molecular Weight: 180.2 g/mol
• Chemical Structure: Formed by the esterification reaction of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and propanol, its molecular structure includes a benzene ring, a hydroxyl group (-OH), and a propyl ester chain (-COOCH₂CH₂CH₃). This structure endows it with both lipophilicity and antibacterial activity, allowing it to effectively penetrate microbial cell membranes to exert its function.
• Common Forms: Commercially available products are mostly white crystalline powders or colorless crystals, odorless or with a slight characteristic smell. Some products are also made into granular form for uniform addition during production; a small number are supplied as solutions to meet specific process requirements.

2. Physical and Chemical Properties

3. Key Performance Characteristics

1. Potent Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity
   Propyl Paraben inhibits microbial growth by suppressing enzyme activity in microbial cells, interfering with cellular metabolism, and damaging cell membrane structures. Its advantages are specifically reflected in:

• Broad Antibacterial Spectrum: Highly effective against molds (e.g., Aspergillus niger), yeasts (e.g., Saccharomyces cerevisiae), as well as gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranges from 0.01% to 0.05%.
• Synergistic Enhancement: When used in combination with other parabens (e.g., methyl paraben, ethyl paraben) or preservatives (e.g., potassium sorbate), it produces a synergistic antibacterial effect, reducing the dosage of a single preservative while enhancing overall preservative efficacy. For example, a mixture of 0.02% propyl paraben and 0.03% methyl paraben has better antibacterial ability than 0.05% pure propyl paraben.

1. High Safety and Regulatory Recognition

• Low Toxicity: The acute oral LD₅₀ (rat) is > 5000 mg/kg, classified as "practically non-toxic"; the acceptable daily intake (ADI) is 0–10 mg/kg body weight (FAO/WHO standard), posing extremely low health risks to humans under normal usage.
• Metabolic Characteristics: After entering the human body, it is metabolized in the liver to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, which then combines with glycine to form harmless substances excreted from the body. There is no risk of bioaccumulation, ensuring safety.
• Regulatory Compliance: Complies with numerous international and domestic regulatory standards, such as the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), US FDA (21 CFR §181.23), and EU Regulation EC No 1333/2008, and is permitted for use in over 180 countries and regions worldwide. It also meets China’s National Food Safety Standard for the Use of Food Additives (GB 2760-2024) and Cosmetic Safety Technical Specification (2024 Edition), which clearly specify the maximum usage limits in various fields.

1. Good Compatibility
   It can stably coexist with various ingredients such as sugars, flavors, and pigments in food; emulsifiers, humectants, and thickeners in cosmetics; and excipients in pharmaceuticals. No precipitation, discoloration, or odor occurs after mixing, and it does not affect the original flavor, texture, or efficacy of the product. Thus, it is suitable for various products with strict quality requirements.

4. Main Application Fields

1. Food and Beverage Industry (Core Scenario)

2. Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

• Skincare Products (Lotions, Creams, Serums): Added at 0.05%–0.2% to prevent microbial growth in formulations, avoiding product deterioration, stratification, or odor due to contamination. It ensures the quality and safety of skincare products, especially suitable for products containing perishable ingredients such as natural oils and plant extracts.
• Color Cosmetics (Foundations, Eyeshadows, Lipsticks): Added at 0.03%–0.15% to inhibit bacterial and mold growth, ensuring the hygiene and safety of color cosmetics without affecting their color payoff, texture, or longevity.
• Oral Care Products (Toothpaste, Mouthwash): Added at 0.05%–0.1% to inhibit the reproduction of oral pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus mutans), helping prevent dental caries and bad breath, and enhancing the cleaning and health benefits of oral care products.

3. Pharmaceutical and Industrial Fields

• Pharmaceuticals (Oral Liquids, Eye Drops, Ointments): As a "pharmaceutical excipient" (included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia CP2025), it is added at 0.02%–0.08% to prevent microbial contamination of liquid medicines or ointments during storage, ensuring pharmaceutical quality and medication safety.
• Industrial Applications: Added to water-based coatings, adhesives, and cutting fluids (0.05%–0.2%) to inhibit bacterial and mold reproduction, preventing product odor and performance degradation caused by microbial activity, and extending the service life of industrial products.

5. Safety and Storage Specifications

1. Safety Warnings (Low-Risk Profile)

Propyl Paraben is generally highly safe, but the following precautions should be noted during use:

• A very small number of sensitive individuals may experience skin allergic reactions (with a low incidence rate). A skin patch test is recommended before using it in cosmetics.
• It is prohibited for use in infant food (clearly specified in China’s GB 2760 standard). In other food applications, the maximum usage limit must be strictly followed, and excessive addition is strictly prohibited.
• During operation, avoid inhaling large amounts of powder; it is recommended to wear a dust mask to prevent irritation to the respiratory tract.

2. Packaging and Storage

• Packaging Specifications:
  • Food Grade/Pharmaceutical Grade: 25 kg/bag (inner layer: polyethylene film bag; outer layer: kraft paper composite bag, with good moisture-proof and anti-pollution performance).
  • Cosmetic Grade: 5 kg/aluminum foil bag (with oxidation-proof and light-proof functions to better protect product quality).
  • Small Batches: 1 kg/sealed bottle (suitable for laboratory research or small-scale production trials).
• Storage Conditions:
  • Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated environment, with temperature controlled at 5–30℃ and relative humidity < 70%.
  • Avoid storing with strong oxidants, strong acids, or strong alkalis to prevent chemical reactions.
  • After opening, seal the bag tightly in a timely manner to prevent the product from absorbing moisture or being contaminated. Even if caking occurs, it generally does not affect its activity and can still be used normally after crushing.
  • Shelf life of unopened products: 24 months for food grade, 36 months for cosmetic grade.