Category: Product preservation

Antioxidants, both natural and synthetic, have been used in industrial processes since the late 19th century to prevent the degradation of materials like rubber and fuels caused by oxidation. Today, antioxidants are intentionally incorporated into countless products, from the food we eat to the skincare we apply, to combat the damaging effects of free radicals and preserve quality.

Homemade flaxseed gel, a water-based product, is highly perishable and susceptible to bacterial growth when left at room temperature. Due to its natural composition, you can keep flaxseed gel out of the fridge for only a very short time before it starts to spoil.

Over the past decade, consumer demand for cleaner product labels has driven a surge in the search for alternatives to synthetic additives like BHT. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a synthetic antioxidant used to prevent rancidity in fat-containing products, but its safety profile has been a subject of concern. Fortunately, a variety of effective and natural alternatives are now widely available for a range of applications, from food preservation to cosmetics.