Parabens

4 Hydroxybenzoic Acids; Acids, 4-Hydroxybenzoic; Acids, para-Hydroxybenzoic; para Hydroxybenzoic Acids
Proprietary name for the methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. They have been approved by the FDA as antimicrobial agents for foods and pharmaceuticals. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed, p872)