Question

What are synthetic antioxidants? Give an example.

Answer 1

Synthetic antioxidant:

• Synthetic antioxidants are chemicals that are synthesized in the laboratory and used as a substitute for natural antioxidants. 
• They delay the onset of oxidant or slow down the rate of oxidation of foodstuff. 
• They are added as additives to increase the shelf life of packed foods. 
• Common structural units found in synthetic antioxidants are phenolic -OH group and tertiary butyl group. e.g. BHT, which is 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxytoluene.