Products Description
What is BHT Food Grade?
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), also known as dibutyl hydroxytoluene, is a white crystal or crystalline powder that is essentially odorless and tasteless. It has a melting point of 69.7°C and a boiling point of 265°C, demonstrating stability under heat. BHT maintains its color when in contact with metal ions, including iron, and showcases excellent antioxidant properties. It exhibits the unique sublimation characteristic of monophenolic types and evaporates with steam when heated. While it is insoluble in water, glycerol, and propylene glycol, BHT dissolves easily in ethanol and fat. Generally, BHT is synthesized with p-cresol and tert-butanol, using concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst and alumina as a dehydrating agent. Apart from food-grade antioxidants, we also offer BHT feed-grade antioxidants.
BHT Technical Parameters
| TEST ITEM |
SPECIFICATION |
| APPEARANCE |
WHITE CRYSTAL POWDER |
| STANDARD |
GB29924-2013 |
| MELTING POINT ≥ |
69.0°C |
| MOISTURE ≤ |
0.05% |
| Burning residue ≤ |
0.005% |
| Sulfate ≤ |
0.002% |
| As, mg/kg ≤ |
1 |
| Heavy metal (Pb) mg/kg ≤ |
5 |
| Free phenol, w% ≤ |
0.02% |
Application of BHT Food Grade Additives
(1) BHT food grade antioxidant can effectively delay the oxidative rancidity of vegetable oil, thereby extending the shelf life of fried fast food. It is particularly effective in shortening.
(2) The antioxidant properties of BHT in food applications are similar to those of BHA, though BHT's antioxidant capacity is comparatively lower.
(3) Combining BHT with BHA or TBHQ results in a more potent antioxidant effect than using BHA alone. However, BHT does not exhibit any synergistic effects with gallic acid esters.
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(4) Citric acid and its esters can serve as synergists. For instance, in vegetable oils, a mixture with a BHT: BHA: citric acid ratio of 2:2:1 is used. Refined oil containing BHT must be added after alkali refining, decolorization, deodorization, and cooling to 12°C under a vacuum. The container should be clean. When adding, initially dilute BHT with a small amount of oil before adding it to a more substantial amount. Dissolve citric acid in water or ethanol before adding and stirring well.
(5) There is no optimal BHT concentration; as the BHT concentration increases, the oil stability also increases. However, beyond a certain concentration, the improvement rate diminishes, and concentrations above 0.02% may introduce a phenolic odor.
(6) BHT food grade can also be incorporated into the packaging materials, such as wrapping paper or plastic packaging, for baked goods and frozen foods. Generally, the usage rate is 0.2-1 kg per ton of packaging material. BHT is often combined with BHA, gallate, and citric acid.
Functions of BHT in Cosmetics
Besides food preservation, BHT is also used in cosmetics and medicine to stabilize fats and oils. Butylated Hydroxytoluene or BHT serves as an antioxidant stabilizer in cosmetic products, helping maintain properties and performance to prevent changes in odor, color, and texture when exposed to air. It is especially useful in products containing fats or emulsions with certain active ingredients or plant extracts. BHT is particularly valuable for manufacturing processes that involve high temperatures due to its stability, unlike some natural antioxidants.
In addition to food additives like BHT food grade, we also offer sodium benzoate powder and sodium benzoate prill.
Note: Dosage of BHT Food Grade
FAO/WHO (1984) regulations permit BHT usage in general edible fats and oils, either alone or combined with BHA, TBHQ, and gallic acid esters, at a maximum concentration of 0.2 g/kg (with gallic acid esters not exceeding 100 mg/kg). For milk fat, the maximum usage level is 0.2 g/kg, with a combined total of 0.2 g/kg for BHA and gallic acid esters, and gallic acid esters should not exceed 100 mg/kg. For margarine, the maximum usage level is 0.2 g/kg, either alone or combined with BHA and gallic acid esters, provided gallic acid does not exceed 100 mg/kg. BHT should not be used for direct sterilization or in milk and its products. For margarine, the combined maximum usage level for BHT, BHA, and gallic acid esters is 0.1 g/kg.
1. In fats and oils, BHT is more effective for animal oils compared to BHA. When used in concentrations of 0.005%-0.02%, BHT is particularly beneficial for lard stored in paper containers in direct contact with the paper. In mixtures of BHA, BHT, gallic acid esters, and citric acid, BHT is used at 0.001%-0.01%. BHT outperforms BHA or BHA-BHT mixtures for casein stabilization. BHT offers limited protective effects on fats and oils in fried foods, especially vegetable oils. BHT is also widely used to stabilize essential oils such as d-limonene, orange oil, lime oil, and geranium oil.
2. In baked or fried foods, BHT does not integrate as well as BHA. However, BHT is similarly effective in cereals and low-fat foods and is widely used.
3. For meat products, BHT effectively delays the catalytic oxidation of ortho-ferric heme in pork. BHT and BHA combinations are beneficial for carp, chicken, pork chops, and frozen smoked pork slices. Both are effective for dry frozen beef, poultry meat, pork, and fish, as well as for preventing discoloration and spoilage of various dry sausages.
4. In dairy products, 0.008% BHT stabilizes milk effectively. A BHT and PG mixture is more efficient than BHT alone. However, BHT may impart a phenolic odor to milk powder.
5. In nuts and preserves, a mixture of BHA and BHT effectively stabilizes shelled nuts like walnuts and peanuts. BHT, incorporated into an edible protective shell, extends the shelf life of roasted chopped nuts and almonds.
BHT is added to chewing gum bases to prevent oxidation-induced tastelessness, hardness, and brittleness.
Animal oil
0.001-0.01
Vegetable oil 0.002-0.02 Baked goods 0.01-0.04 (in terms of fat) Cereals 0.005-0.02 Dehydrated soy milk 0.001 Essential oils 0.01-0.1 Chewing gum base Reach 0.1 Food packaging materials 0.02-0.1
You may have some questions all here:
How does food grade BHT keep food fresh？
BHA and BHT are antioxidants. When added to foods, these compounds react with oxygen preferentially, preventing oxidation of fats and oils, thereby protecting from spoilage. BHA and BHT act as phenolic chain-breaking antioxidants, averting oxidative rancidity which can lead to the destruction of vitamins, essential fatty acids, and the degradation of flavor. This rancidity produces free radicals that contribute to bodily stress and damage. There is evidence suggesting that aging effects result from the accumulation of oxidation in our bodies. Thus, phenolic antioxidants like BHA and BHT are incorporated into foods sensitive to oxidation to prevent spoilage, thereby preserving food quality and safety. They are soluble in fats and incompatible with iron salts.
Why are food grade antioxidants added to food?
Antioxidants are essential in preserving food freshness, as foods are vulnerable to factors like temperature, light, oxygen, metals, and enzymes during processing or storage. Exposure to air can cause food ingredients to oxidize, leading to discoloration, rancidity, or deterioration. Antioxidants, categorized as natural (e.g., vitamin C and E) or chemically synthesized (e.g., BHA and BHT), help prevent these reactions. Most of the positive health effects attributed to substances like grape seeds, green tea, goji, red wine, fruits, and vegetables stem from their antioxidant properties. The use of BHA and BHT enhances the quality and safety of our foods, from an oxidation standpoint.
Why does BHT face scrutiny and what are the facts?
BHT is accused of being an endocrine disruptor and of having toxic effects on the liver, kidneys, and lungs at extreme doses by ingestion. It is also suspected of potential bioaccumulation in aquatic species and carrying a carcinogenic potential, often confused with BHA. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), a recognized authority on international health matters, BHT is not classified as an endocrine disruptor. Studies that highlighted BHT’s potential toxicity were conducted under conditions vastly different from typical cosmetic use, involving ingestion of very high doses.
As a manufacturer controlling the entire industrial chain for this product, our factory offers competitive and stable supply both in raw materials and technology. We welcome you to contact us!
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