Methylparaben

Description

Genome specialities  Methylparaben, with the chemical formula C8​H8​O3​, is a member of the paraben family of preservatives.

It is the methyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and is widely used as an antimicrobial preservative in various products. Genome Specialities  Methyl paraben preservative is  High purity material.

---

Chemical properties of Methyl Paraben 

Parameter	Specification
Assay (Purity)	≥ 99.0%
Appearance	White crystalline powder
Melting Point	125 – 128°C
pH (1% solution)	6.5 – 7.5
Loss on Drying	≤ 0.5%
Identification (IR/UV)	Conforms
Residue on Ignition	≤ 0.1%
Solubility	Soluble in alcohol and ether; slightly soluble in water

 

---

Applications of Methyl Paraben

Cosmetics and Personal Care: It is one of the most common preservatives in cosmetics, helping to extend the shelf life of products by preventing microbial contamination. You can find it  in makeup, moisturizers, shampoos, deodorants, and shaving creams.

Food Industry:

Methylparaben act as a food preservative and has the European food additive number E218 which prevents spoilage in processed fish, dried meats, and certain confectionery products .

Pharmaceuticals:

Oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations  use methyl paraben  as a preservative  to ensure product stability and safety

---

Grades of Methyl Paraben

1. Pharmaceutical Grade (USP / BP / EP / IP)

Standards: United States Pharmacopeia (USP), British Pharmacopoeia (BP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP)

Purity: ≥ 99.0%

Uses:Preservative in tablets, syrups, injections, creams, ointments

2. Food Grade (FCC)Standards: Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) Purity: High purity, food-safe

Uses:Preservative in beverages, sauces, bakery products, confectionery

3. Cosmetic Grade Standards:

Cosmetic regulatory authorities (FDA, EU Cosmetics Regulation)

The purity exceeds standard pharmaceutical-grade specifications.

Uses: Preservative in creams, lotions, shampoos, gels, makeup

4. Analytical Reagent (AR) / Laboratory Grade  Standards: Laboratory chemical specifications

Purity: Very high (often ≥ 99.5%)

Uses:Chemical analysis, research, calibration, testing

5. Technical Grade Purity:

For Technical Grade, Methyl Paraben purity is very lower compared pharma and food grades.

Uses: Industrial applications, intermediate in chemical synthesis