Preservatives

‫مواد محافظوی‬
 Definition :

 . A preservative is a natural or synthetic

chemical that is added to products such as
foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological
samples, wood, etc. to prevent
decomposition by microbial growth or by
undesirable chemical changes.
 Kind of Preservatives:

 Medical preservatives
 Non Medical preservatives
1 Preservatives in wood
2 Preservatives in foods
2.1 Natural food preservation
 Preservatives in wood

Preservatives may be added to wood to

prevent the growth of fungi as well as to
repel insects and termites. Typically arsenic
, copper, chromium, borate, and petroleum
based chemical compounds are used..
 Preservatives in foods
Preservative food additives can be used alone or in
conjunction with other methods of food preservation.
Preservatives may be anti-microbial preservatives, which
inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, or antioxidants
such as oxygen absorbers, which inhibit the oxidation of
food constituents. Common anti-microbial preservatives
include calcium propionate, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite,
sulfites (sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfite,
potassium hydrogen sulfite, etc.) and disodium EDTA.
Antioxidants include BHA and
Other preservatives include formaldehyde
(usually in solution), glutaraldehyde (kills
insects), ethanol and
methylchloroisothiazolinone.
 Natural food preservation
Natural substances such as salt, sugar, vinegar,
also used as traditional preservatives. Certain
processes such as freezing, pickling, smoking and
salting can also be used to preserve food. Another
group of preservatives targets enzymes in fruits
and vegetables that continue to metabolize after
they are cut. For instance, citric and ascorbic acids
from lemon or other citrus juice can inhibit the
action of the enzyme phenolase which turns
surfaces of cut apples and potatoes brown.
 Medical preservatives:

 Commonly used preservatives:

 * phenol * benzoic acid
* benzyl alcohol * chlorobutanol
* thiomersal * benzalkonium
* cresol * cetylpyridinium
 Benzyl alcohol

Benzyl alcohol is classified as a

preservative. Preservatives prevent the
growth of microorganisms and prevent
deterioration of pharmaceutical dosage
forms.
 The ideal preservative must have
the following characteristics:
It must be effective against a broad spectrum of
microorganisms. It must be stable for the lifetime of
the product. It must be nontoxic, soluble, palatable
in test and odor and compatible with other
ingredients in the formulation.
 Allergy
Drug preservatives %

Alocril (neodocromil BAK 0.01%

sodium 2%)
Alrex (loteprednol BAK 0.01%
etabonate 0.2%)
Elestat (epinastine HCI BAK 0.01%
0.05%)
Pataday (olopatadine BAK 0.01%
hydrochloride 0.2%)
Patanol (olopatadine BAK 0.01%
hydrochloride 0.1%)
 Antibiotics
Drug preservative %
s
Tobradex (tobramycin BAK 0.01%
0.3%, dexamethasone
0.1%)
Vigamox (moxifloxacin BAK 0.01%
HCI 0.5%)
Zymar (gatifloxacin 0.3%) BAK 0.005 %
 Eyedrops & ophtalmic
solution preservative
 Benzalkonium chloride 0.013 %
 Benzethonium chloride 0.01 %
 Chlorobutanol 0.5 %
 Phenylmercuric acetate 0.004 %
 Phenylmercuric nitrate 0.004 %
 Benzalkonium chloride
 Benzalkonium chloride is a chemical used as a preservative in many
eyedrops, and one of the most reliable eyedrop preservatives, since it
as a broad antimicrobial spectrum of activity,but the Pharmacist must
be aware of its in compatibility with anionic drugs, Salicylate and
nitrate , and for solutions containing any of these substances an
alternative preservative , as phenylmercuric nitrate or phenylmercuric
acetate , must be employed .
 In concentrations tolerated by the tissues of the eye , all of the
aforementioned preservative agents are ineffective against some
strains of pseudomonas aeruginosa , an organism that can invade an
abraded cornea and cause ulceration and blindness .
 Glaucoma

(drug) Preservative %
Alphagan BAK 0.005%
Alphagan-P (brimonidine Purite (SOC) 0.005%
tartrate 0.1% and 0.15%)
Azopt (brinzolamide 1%) BAK 0.01%
Betagan (Allergan) BAK
Betoptic S (Alcon) BAK 0.01%