title: The sensitizing capacity of the antioxidants propyl, octyl, and dodecyl gallate and some related gallic acid esters.
abstract: 8 alkyl gallates, including the widely used antioxidants propyl, octyl, and dodecyl (= lauryl) gallate, have been subjected to experimental sensitization in guinea pigs. Using a modern sensitization procedure, the results showed that all gallates are moderate to strong contact sensitizers: dodecyl (= lauryl) gallate was found to be the strongest. A characteristic correlation between side chain length and mean response was observed, giving a maximum of sensitization at a length of 12 carbon atoms (dodecyl gallate). A literature review revealed that the frequency of reports of allergic contact dermatitis from antioxidants of the gallate type has increased in the last 4 years. In most cases, the moderate sensitizer propyl gallate was the source of sensitization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Hausen
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Beyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000276:immunology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011435:Propyl Gallate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C016627:octyl gallate; C008259:lauryl gallate; D005707:Gallic Acid; D011435:Propyl Gallate