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What Are Animal Preservatives?

Many types of preservatives are used by food and cosmetics manufacturers to prevent or retard spoilage caused by the growth of bacteria and fungi. They come from a variety of sources and can be based on derivatives from plants, insects or animals, and synthetic chemicals as well. Some of the most common animal-based preservatives include benzoic acid, glycerin, stearic acid and methionine. Preservatives can be listed on labels by several different names, so tracking down their origins often involves some research.

  1. Stearic Acid

    • Stearic acid may be listed on food or cosmetics labels under the names of quaternium 27, stearoyl lactylic acid or possibly as tallow. Common other derivative names include stearate, stearin and stearamide. Though this chemical has many potential sources, including as an extract of cascarilla bark or vegetable fats, it is most often of animal origin. It is taken from the stomachs of pigs, cows, sheep and other animals. Common uses for stearic acid include as an anti-caking agent in candy and gum and in various artificial flavors. It is used in a wide variety of cosmetics, candies, pharmaceuticals and candles. Though it most often is derived from pig stomachs, it can also come from euthanized animals in pet shelters.

    Benzoic Acid

    • Benzoic acid is found in nature in a wide variety of animals as well as in berries. It is used as a preservative in a long list of food products and flavorings, soft drinks, fruit juices and so on. Cosmetics such as perfume, hair rinse and deodorants also commonly include it. Benzoic acid also has a plant derivative source, and was first produced from gum benzoin tree bark. Like stearic acid, benzoic acid also has animal sources, and can be made from hippuric acid, which is a liver byproduct in many vertebrate animals.

    Glycerin

    • The preservative glycerin also goes by the chemical names glycerol, polyglycerol, polyethylene glycol and glyceride. This family of preservatives has both synthetic as well as animal- and plant-based sources. Glycerin is a common thickening agent in many foods and is used as an alcohol-based preservative and sweetener. One of the main sources of glycerin is that of the processing of animal fats into soap. The global market for glycerin is so great that it's projected to reach an annual consumption level of 4.4 billion pounds by the year 2015.

    Methionine

    • Methionine is another common animal-based preservative compound. One of the largest markets for methionine is in the potato chip industry, but it's also widely used in shampoos, hair sprays and other hair beauty products. The most common source for methionine is as a byproduct of dairy and egg production. It is an essential amino acid human beings require for good health, but which cannot be produced by the human body itself. Methionine will often be found on labels next to choline or inositol, as they are all related protein compounds known as lipotropics.

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