Studies on Food Additives. VI. Metabolism of 2, 6-Di-tert-butyl-p-cresol (BHT) in a Rabbit. (1). Determination and Paper Chromatography of a Metabolite.

Metabolism of the antioxidant, 2, 6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol (BHT), was studied in a rabbit. After administration of 0.5g./kg. of BHT by mouth, 37.5% of it was excreted as glucuronides, 16.7% as ethereal sulfates, and 6.8% as free phenols. α-Hydroxy-2, 6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol, 3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4, 4'-ethylenebis (2, 6-di-tert-butylphenol) were identified by paper chromatography from the rabbit urine 24 hours after the administration of 0.5g./kg. of BHT. Unchanged BHT was isolated from the feces, but not from the urine.