BHA- What is it ?

 

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a mixture of two isomeric organic compounds, 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole.  It is prepared from 4-methoxyphenol and isobutylene.  It is a waxy solid that exhibits antioxidant properties.

Like butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), the conjugated aromatic ring of  BHA is able to stabilize free radicals, sequestering them.  By acting as free radical scavengers, ( A scavenger in chemistry substance added to a mixture in order to remove or inactivate impurities or unwanted reaction products.  There use is wide-ranged.

Evidence that BHA is a carcinogen   ( The term carcinogen refers to any substance, radionuclide or radiation which is an agent directly involved in the promotion of cancer or in the facilitation of its propagation.  This may be due to genomic instability or to the disruption of cellular metabolic processes )  has been obtained from animal trials.