

Item No :
LEAFCHEM053Order(MOQ) :
100kgsProduct Origin :
ChinaColor :
WhiteShipping Port :
Shanghai, ChinaLead Time :
2-3 weeksWeight :
25kgCas No. :
99-76-3Molecular Formula :
C₈H₈O₃Appearance :
Crystalline powder, odorless or almost odorless, broad spectrum antimicrobial preservativeAssay :
≥ 99.0%Application :
Cosmetics & personal care Food & beverage PharmaceuticalCore Advantages
1. Direct Source Factory Supply
Backed by our in-house production lines, we ensure stable fulfillment for large bulk orders and offer highly competitive ex-factory prices for premium methyl paraben.
2. Broad Spectrum High-Efficacy Antimicrobial Activity
Delivers excellent inhibitory effect against bacteria, yeast and mold, with particularly high efficacy against fungi (mold and yeast).
3. Long Proven Application History
Has a 50+ year track record of safe use in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries globally.
4. Flexible Formulation Compatibility
Can be used alone, or blended with other paraben esters (ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben) for synergistic preservative effect.
5. Excellent Stability
Chemically stable and non-volatile, maintains full efficacy under conventional storage and processing conditions.
6. Non-Carcinogenic
Scientific studies confirm no carcinogenic potential.
Technical Specifications
| Item | Typical Parameters | Test Standard / Remarks |
| Product Name | Methyl Paraben / Methylparaben | —— |
| CAS Number | 99-76-3 | Global universal product identifier |
| Molecular Formula | C₈H₈O₃ | —— |
| Molecular Weight | 152.15 g/mol | —— |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder | Odorless or almost odorless |
| Assay (Purity, HPLC) | ≥ 99.0% | USP/NF/FCC/Ph. Eur. compliant |
| Melting Point | 125 – 128°C | —— |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 0.5% | —— |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤ 0.1% | —— |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 ppm | —— |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 3 ppm | —— |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol, ether and alkaline solutions | —— |
| Regulatory | Status FDA GRAS, EU E218, USP/NF/FCC/Ph. Eur. compliant | —— |
Key Application Fields
1. Cosmetics & Personal Care Products (Core Application)
Methyl paraben is one of the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics and personal care formulations:
Skincare: Creams, lotions, serums, sunscreens, masks
Color cosmetics: Liquid foundations, mascaras, eyeshadows, lipsticks
Hair care: Shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays
Oral care: Toothpastes
Recommended dosage: 0.03% – 0.30% for optimal efficacy in cosmetic formulations
Regulatory requirement: Maximum allowed concentration 0.4% (as acid) when used as single ester; total concentration ≤ 0.8% when blended with other paraben esters (EU SCCS standard)
Product feature: Low sensitization potential, suitable for a wide range of formulations
2. Food & Beverage Industry
Methyl paraben has over 50 years of proven safe use as a food preservative:
Application scope: Color solutions, flavor syrups, coffee extracts, frozen beverages, fruit products, soft drinks, pickled fish, salads, sauces, snack foods, concentrated soups
Regulatory status: Listed as FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) substance, maximum safe concentration 1 mg/g for food use
Food additive E number: E218
3. Pharmaceutical Industry
Pharmaceutical preservation: Widely used as antimicrobial preservative for oral liquids, topical preparations, injections and other pharmaceutical products
Biopharmaceutical application: Research confirms methyl paraben is a viable preservative alternative for liquid monoclonal antibody formulations, with lower antibody aggregation tendency than many traditional preservatives
Quality control: Can be used as pharmaceutical secondary standard for drug quality control
FAQ
Q1: What is Methyl Paraben, and what is its standard global identifier?
A: Methyl Paraben (also written as Methylparaben, chemical name: Methyl p-Hydroxybenzoate, CAS 99-76-3) is the methyl ester derivative of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. It appears as a white crystalline powder, odorless or almost odorless, and is one of the most widely used broad spectrum preservatives globally.
Q2: What is the antimicrobial spectrum of Methyl Paraben?
A: Methyl Paraben delivers broad spectrum antimicrobial activity: it effectively inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast and mold, with particularly high efficacy against fungi (yeast and mold). It is widely recognized for its stable and reliable preservative performance.
Q3: What is the recommended usage level of Methyl Paraben in formulations?
A: The standard recommended dosage:
Cosmetics: 0.03% – 0.30% for optimal efficacy
Regulatory limit (EU SCCS): Maximum 0.4% when used alone; maximum 0.8% total parabens when blended with other paraben esters
Food: Maximum 1 mg/g (FDA GRAS standard)
Q4: Is Methyl Paraben compliant with global regulatory standards?
A: Yes, Methyl Paraben has full global regulatory approval:
Pharmaceutical: Compliant with USP, NF, Ph. Eur. pharmacopoeia standards
Cosmetics: EU SCCS approved for use as cosmetic preservative within concentration limits
Food: US FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), approved food additive with E number E218, compliant with FCC standards
Q5: Is Methyl Paraben safe for use, and is it carcinogenic?
A: Yes, high-purity Methyl Paraben has an excellent safety profile. Extensive scientific research and over 50 years of global safe use confirm:
It has no carcinogenic potential when used within regulatory concentration limits
It has low sensitization potential and is suitable for most formulation types
All major global regulatory bodies (FDA, EU SCCS, WHO) confirm its safety for approved uses
Q6: Can Methyl Paraben be combined with other preservatives for synergistic effect?
A: Yes, Methyl Paraben has excellent formulation compatibility. It delivers significant synergistic preservative effect when blended with other paraben esters (ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben), expanding antimicrobial spectrum and reducing total required concentration. It also works well with most other cosmetic and food preservatives.
Q7: In which products and industries is Methyl Paraben commonly applied?
A: Methyl Paraben is widely used across 3 major industries:
Cosmetics & personal care: Creams, lotions, serums, makeup, hair care, oral care products
Food & beverage: Syrups, beverages, processed foods, pickled products
Pharmaceutical: Oral liquids, topical preparations, injections, biopharmaceutical formulations
Q8: What are the key quality specifications for premium Methyl Paraben?
A: High-quality cosmetic/food/pharmaceutical grade Methyl Paraben meets the following core specifications:
Purity (HPLC): ≥ 99.0%
Melting point: 125 – 128°C
Loss on drying: ≤ 0.5%
Heavy metals (as Pb): ≤ 10 ppm
Arsenic (As): ≤ 3 ppm
Q9: Is Methyl Paraben stable in formulations?
A: Yes, Methyl Paraben has excellent chemical stability: it is non-volatile, chemically inert, and maintains full preservative efficacy under conventional storage and processing conditions across a wide pH range. It is one of the most stable preservatives available.
Q10: Does Methyl Paraben cause skin irritation or sensitization?
A: High-purity Methyl Paraben has very low sensitization potential when used within recommended concentrations. It is suitable for a wide range of formulations including sensitive skin products, and has a long history of safe use in personal care products.
Q11: Can Methyl Paraben be used as a food preservative?
A: Yes, Methyl Paraben is an approved food preservative globally. It is FDA GRAS, has E number E218, and has over 50 years of safe use history in food and beverage products including syrups, soft drinks, processed foods and pickled products.
Q12: What packaging and supply services do you provide?
A: As a direct source manufacturer, we supply 99% high-purity Methyl Paraben. Standard packaging options include 1kg aluminum foil bags and 25kg fiber drums, with customizable packaging available. We support stable bulk supply from lab samples to full container orders, and provide complete regulatory documentation including COA, MSDS/SDS and TDS for each batch.
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