dl-α-tocopheryl phosphate has a growth acceleration effect on domestic fowl. Also was confirmed, that in all investigated animals dl-α-tocopheryl phosphate has an ability to being converted into vitamin E.

Erythorbic acid, an epimer of L-ascorbic acid, is used in the United States as a food additive. It was studied, that erythorbic acid enhanced of iron absorption and could play a major role in enhancing iron bioavailability from mixed diets that include foods preserved with erythorbic acid. In addition, was investigated if the erythorbic acid could influence on the metabolism of vitamin C in young women, and obtained results showed, that prolonged ingestion of erythorbic acid had no effect on vitamin C uptake or clearance from the body.

Tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) or 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,4-benzenediol is an antioxdant found to inhibit lipid oxidation. Extensive studies have demonstrated that tBHQ exhibit anti-carcinogenic effect. The ability of tBHQ to induce phase II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes through an Nrf2-dependent pathway is thought to be responsible for the observed protective effect of tBHQ. It has been proposed that tBHQ enhances Nrf2-mediated transcription by promoting reactive oxygen species-mediated dissociation of Nrf2-Keap1, Nrf2 stabilization, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt activity, and MAPK pathway activation. tBHQ has been commonly used as a synthetic food additive to prevent oils and fats from oxidative deterioration and rancidity due to its potent anti-lipid peroxidation activity.

Ascorbyl palmitate is a fat soluble vitamin C ester. An ester is simply a compound formed by the combination of an organic acid and an alcohol – in this case it is ascorbic acid and palmitic acid (a fat – which is composed of fatty acids and glycerol - an alcohol). Therefore, ascorbyl palmitate is formed by the esterification of ascorbic acid with palmitic acid to form vitamin C ester. Ascorbyl palmitate is an amphipathic molecule, meaning one end is water-soluble and the other end is fat-soluble. This dual solubility allows it to be incorporated into cell membranes. When incorporated into the cell membranes of human red blood cells, ascorbyl palmitate has been found to protect them from oxidative damage and to protect alpha-tocopherol (a fat-soluble antioxidant) from oxidation by free radicals. Basically, the fat-soluble aspect of ascorbyl palmitate extends vitamin C free radical protection into the fat parts of the body. However, the protective effects of ascorbyl palmitate on cell membranes have only been demonstrated in the test tube (in vitro). Taking ascorbyl palmitate orally may not result in any significant incorporation into cell membranes because most of it appears to be hydrolyzed (broken apart into palmitate and ascorbic acid) in the human digestive tract before it is absorbed. The ascorbic acid released by the hydrolysis of ascorbyl palmitate appears to be as bioavailable as ascorbic acid alone. The presence of ascorbyl palmitate in oral supplements contributes to the ascorbic acid content of the supplement and probably helps protect fat-soluble antioxidants in the supplement. This is also true for food products. Ascorbyl palmitate is used to increase the shelf life of vegetable oils and potato chips. The role of vitamin C in promoting collagen synthesis and its antioxidant properties have generated interest in its use on the skin. Ascorbyl palmitate is frequently used in topical preparations because it is more stable than some aqueous (water-soluble) forms of vitamin C. It is also suggested that this form of vitamin C is better able to penetrate the skin and the thin membrane of cells (due to its dual solubility), which can then go on to help produce collagen and elastin.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorles, highly toxic gas with a choking or suffocating odor. It is used as a pharmaceutical aid and antioxidant. It reacts easily with other substances to form harmful compounds, such as sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid and sulfate particles. About 99% of the sulfur dioxide in air comes from human sources. The main source of sulfur dioxide in the air is industrial activity that processes materials that contain sulfur, eg the generation of electricity from coal, oil or gas that contains sulfur. Some mineral ores also contain sulfur, and sulfur dioxide is released when they are processed. In addition, industrial activities that burn fossil fuels containing sulfur can be important sources of sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide affects human health when it is breathed in. It irritates the nose, throat, and airways to cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or a tight feeling around the chest. The effects of sulfur dioxide are felt very quickly and most people would feel the worst symptoms in 10 or 15 minutes after breathing it in. Sulfur dioxide is used to increase the storage life and preserve the color and flavor of fruits and vegetables and as a disinfectant in breweries, wineries and food factories. It prevents the formation of nitroamines in beer and reduces free chlorine after water treatment. It is used as a bleaching agent in the textile, paper pulp, wool and fresh produce industries and as a fumigant for grain and against lice and mites in veterinary practice. It also serves as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of chlorine dioxide, sodium sulfate, thionyl chloride and organic sulfonates. It is used as a reducing agent of iron in mineral processing, as a cleaning agent for metallic oxides, as an oxidizing agent in lithium batteries, as an oxygen scavenger and extractive solvent in petroleum refining, in glass manufacture and as a neutralizing agent. SO2 can be generated endogenously in mammals. In contrast to the toxic effects of SO2, protective effects have also been found in mammals. Endogenous SO2 has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertension, and anti-atherogenic effects and regulates vascular tone and cardiac function in mammals. SO2 may have a dual role in regulating physiological and pathophysiological effects in mammals. Studies have shown that SO2 can also regulate levels of lipid metabolism. In male Sprague–Dawley rats on a normal or a high cholesterol diet, inhalation of 5 ppm and 10 ppm SO2 gas (for 14 days) increased plasma triglyceride levels and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, in rats treated with a high cholesterol diet for 8 weeks, plasma total cholesterol increased and high-density lipoproteincholesterol decreased. After treatment with an SO2 donor the plasma levels of triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were markedly decreased. In addition, the SO2 donor significantly decreased atherosclerotic lesions. These data suggest that SO2 regulates lipid metabolism. The mechanism may be related to upregulation of the disturbed endogenous H2S pathway, increased plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, aortic tissue SOD1 and SOD2 protein expression, and decreased malondialdehyde generation. The antioxidant effect of SO2 might involve one of these mechanisms, which could directly prevent the progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Sulfur dioxide and its derivatives have significant vasodilatory effects. SO2 decreased systolic blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats which may be related to its vasorelaxing effect. Compared with exogenous SO2 vasoactive effects, it was discovered that endogenous SO2 had an important vasorelaxing function which is necessary for maintaining normal blood vascular tone.

Potassium bisulfite is a chemical compound with the chemical formula KHSO3. Potassium bisulphite is used for the preservation of colourless food materials such as fruit juices, squashes, apples and raw mango chutney. Potassium bisulfite solutions are used in a variety of different applications, including use as a food preservative (E228) to prevent spoilage and discoloration, as a preservative for pharmaceuticals (nebulizer solutions, parenterals, peritoneal dialysis solutions). It is also an antiseptic and sulfurous acid source, especially in brewing. Potassium bisulfite also functions as hair-waving/straightening agent. Potassium bisulfite is generally recognized as safe by FDA when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice, except that it is not used in meats or in food recognized as source of vitamin B1.