Methyl Paraben is a widely used antimicrobial preservative and antifungal agent, belonging to the family of paraben esters, commonly found in cosmetics, food products, and pharmaceutical formulations.
| CAS Number | 99-76-6 |
| Chemical Formula | C 8 H 8 O 3 |
| Molecular Weight | 152.15 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless crystals or white crystalline powder |
| Melting Point | 125 – 128 °C |
| Purity | ≥ 99.0% (USP/BP/EP Grade) |
| Solubility |
Freely soluble in Ethanol and Ether; slightly soluble in Water (approx. 0.25% at 25°C) |
| Safety Information |
Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) at low concentrations, though it is classified as a mild Irritant (GHS07) for skin and eyes; handle with care to avoid dust inhalation and direct contact with mucous membranes. |
| Packing |
Laboratory: 500g, 1kg plastic containers; Industrial: 25 kg fiber drums or multi-wall paper bags with polyethylene liners. |
| Synonyms | Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, Nippagin, Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate |
| Uses |
Methyl Paraben is primarily used as a highly effective preservative in personal care products, cosmetics, and processed foods to inhibit the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria, thereby extending shelf life. intermediates, and is also used as a heavy liquid for mineral separation in laboratories. |
