MOLECULE

Dibutyl phthalate

Dibutyl phthalate, also known as DBP or butyl phthalic acid, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as benzoic acid esters. These are ester derivatives of benzoic acid. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a commonly used plasticizer. It is a paint tasting, colorless oil, although commercial samples are often yellow. Metabolism of dibutyl phthalate proceeds mainly by nonspecific esterases in the gastrointestinal tract, which hydrolyze one of the butyl ester bonds to yield mono-n-butyl phthalate, the primary toxic metabolite. Dibutyl phthalate is absorbed via oral, inhalation, and dermal routes. It is rapidly distributed and cleared from the body. Mono-butyl phthalate is conjugated with glucuronic acid via glucuronosyltransferase and excreted in the urine. Dibutyl phthalate is a potentially toxic compound. The most characteristic effect of dibutyl phthalate on mammals is testicular atrophy. Animal studies have shown that dibutyl phthalate can affect the reproductive ability by decreasing sperm count and causing birth defects. DBT has also exhibited toxic effects in liver mitochondria by uncoupling energy-linked processes and inhibiting the succinate dehydrogenase. Adverse effects from dibutyl phthalate exposure have not yet been reported in humans. Dibutyl phthalate is a commonly used plasticizer. It is also used as an additive to adhesives or printing inks. DBP is also used as an ectoparasiticide. Dibutyl phthalate, and other phthalates, are often reported as components of natural products extracts. However, due to their high solubility in organic solvents (e.g. ethanol, ethers, dichloromethane, and benzene) they are most likely a contaminant analyte, introduced into the sample through the use of plastics during sample preparation or from contaminated solvents, especially in gas chromatography analyses. Dibuthyl phtalate has also been detected in the volatile fraction of Cannabis sativa samples obtained from police seizures (PMID: 26657499).