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Introduction
Parabens are frequently used as preservatives in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries over the last 70 years. The reason for their widespread use is their
preservative along with anti-microbial effects, which was first reported in 1924.
Other features like less toxicity, chemically inertness, and low cost make them more
appropriate for their corresponding use [1]. As the humans are continuously exposed
to food products, cosmetics as well as pharmaceutical products, their continuously
exposure further necessitates safety profiles. Parabens are quickly absorbed through
skin and gut, although most are excreted in the urine but still some remain in body,
and are associated with several health hazards [2].
The use of parabens in food products is from ancient times, since these inhibit
the microbial growth and prevent food from spoilage. Their usage is pivotal especially during the food transportation. This is the reason that each food product has
some preservative, otherwise food cannot survive longer [3]. Due to their presence
in all foodstuffs and ultimate exposure, their safety and toxicity analysis has become
essential for ensuring healthy status. For this reason, different analytical methods
are used for safety evaluation. Additionally, various legislation agencies have also
fixed regulations for paraben’s presence in food products [4]. Furthermore, cosmetic preparations are also widely used by people without any distinction of gender,
age, and race. Their use is increasing day by day, and also used for longer period of
time. These products also contain parabens because of their preservative action, to
make them more viable and enhance their efficacy. Subsequently, parabens free
products are demanded and preferred, for safeguarding undesirable consequences
on human health [5]. Whenever parabens are exposed to body either by topical
application as in case of cosmetics or by oral intake as in case of oral medication.
These parabens enter into systemic circulation. The presence of parabens in systemic circulation was confirmed upon paraben exposure [6, 7]. Nevertheless, parabens undergo rapid metabolism and metabolized into mainly Para-hydroxybenzoic
acid (PHBA) in the liver and also in the skin. These reactions are catalyzed by
estrases, and ultimately parabens are excreted via urine. Parabens are primarily
excreted as glucuronide conjugates glycine as well as sulfate [8, 9]. Interestingly,
parabens present in topical applications probably have more contribution towards
the systemic paraben concentration in comparison to oral intake. This is due to presystemic metabolism of orally intake parabens which usually limits the systemic
exposure as seen in in vivo studies [10]. This suggests that primary exposure of
humans to parabens is through widespread use of personnel care products [11].
Consequently, parabens are used for their preservative efficacy but associated drawbacks particularly endocrine disrupting effect have limited their usage, irrespective
of their favorable properties. Ultimately, use of parabens is being replaced by other
compounds to avoid undesirable effects [12].
K. Haider et al.
Introduction
Parabens are frequently used as preservatives in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries over the last 70 years. The reason for their widespread use is their
preservative along with anti-microbial effects, which was first reported in 1924.
Other features like less toxicity, chemically inertness, and low cost make them more
appropriate for their corresponding use [1]. As the humans are continuously exposed
to food products, cosmetics as well as pharmaceutical products, their continuously
exposure further necessitates safety profiles. Parabens are quickly absorbed through
skin and gut, although most are excreted in the urine but still some remain in body,
and are associated with several health hazards [2].
The use of parabens in food products is from ancient times, since these inhibit
the microbial growth and prevent food from spoilage. Their usage is pivotal especially during the food transportation. This is the reason that each food product has
some preservative, otherwise food cannot survive longer [3]. Due to their presence
in all foodstuffs and ultimate exposure, their safety and toxicity analysis has become
essential for ensuring healthy status. For this reason, different analytical methods
are used for safety evaluation. Additionally, various legislation agencies have also
fixed regulations for paraben’s presence in food products [4]. Furthermore, cosmetic preparations are also widely used by people without any distinction of gender,
age, and race. Their use is increasing day by day, and also used for longer period of
time. These products also contain parabens because of their preservative action, to
make them more viable and enhance their efficacy. Subsequently, parabens free
products are demanded and preferred, for safeguarding undesirable consequences
on human health [5]. Whenever parabens are exposed to body either by topical
application as in case of cosmetics or by oral intake as in case of oral medication.
These parabens enter into systemic circulation. The presence of parabens in systemic circulation was confirmed upon paraben exposure [6, 7]. Nevertheless, parabens undergo rapid metabolism and metabolized into mainly Para-hydroxybenzoic
acid (PHBA) in the liver and also in the skin. These reactions are catalyzed by
estrases, and ultimately parabens are excreted via urine. Parabens are primarily
excreted as glucuronide conjugates glycine as well as sulfate [8, 9]. Interestingly,
parabens present in topical applications probably have more contribution towards
the systemic paraben concentration in comparison to oral intake. This is due to presystemic metabolism of orally intake parabens which usually limits the systemic
exposure as seen in in vivo studies [10]. This suggests that primary exposure of
humans to parabens is through widespread use of personnel care products [11].
Consequently, parabens are used for their preservative efficacy but associated drawbacks particularly endocrine disrupting effect have limited their usage, irrespective
of their favorable properties. Ultimately, use of parabens is being replaced by other
compounds to avoid undesirable effects [12].
K. Haider et al.