E233 -Thiabendazole
Author: Marko Balašević
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)
Characteristics: The food additive E233 belongs to the group of preservatives that stop the growth of fungi and bacteria and protect citrus fruits from rot. It is antiparasitic and fun
Characteristic
The food additive E233 belongs to the group of preservatives that stop the growth of fungi and bacteria and protect citrus fruits from rot. It is an antiparasitic and fungicidal agent, it is active even at low concentrations. In appearance it is a crystalline white powder, tasteless and odorless. The supplement is not carcinogenic or mutagenic. Thiabendazole is prepared by condensing orthophenyldiamine with 4-cyanothiazole in the presence of an acid catalyst, which is then precipitated with alcohol. It may contain impurities and solvents. The substance dissolves slightly in water, but is very soluble in alcohol.
The additive E 233, in addition to thiabenzene, is also found under the names: arbotect, mintezol, tecto, mertect, tetusim, trezaderm. It belongs to the substances with low toxicity.
Use
In the food industry it is used to protect the appearance of citrus fruits and bananas from rot, preserves their freshness for a long time. In medicine it is used as an antidote in cases of poisoning with lead, antimony, mercury and some other metals. It is used as a deworming agent in both animals and humans. In agriculture it is used as a fungicide for plant treatment before and after harvest. It is also used as an additive - a stabilizer during wine maturation.
Impact on humans
Thiabendazole is low toxic in large quantities. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes. In case of contact with the supplement there is a high risk of skin diseases. The rate of absorption of the substance by the body is extremely insignificant, small doses of the absorbed amounts are excreted in the urine. The permissible content is 0.3 mg per kilogram of body weight. In many countries this food additive is banned for use, in the EU it is only recommended for use as a pesticide.