Overview of Butylated Hydroxytoluene
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a synthetic organic compound that is lipid-soluble. It is mainly used as a food additive to prevent oxidation in fats and oils in food products.

Chemical properties and structure
Butylated Hydroxytoluene is an organic compound that contains aromatic rings. Its chemical name is 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol. The chemical formula is C15H24O. It consists of a hydroxyl group bonded to two tert-butyl groups bonded to a phenol ring. This structure enables it to act as a chain-breaking antioxidant.

Mode of action as an antioxidant
As an antioxidant, BHT functions by inhibiting the formation of free radicals in fats and oils. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can start a chain reaction of oxidation in fatty foods. BHT acts by donating a hydrogen atom to the free radicals, converting them into more stable products and terminating the free radical chain reaction. This prevents the food from becoming rancid.

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