E230 - Biphenyl, Diphenyl
Author: Nia Rouseberg
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
January 27, 2026
CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)
Characteristics: The food additive E 230 (biphenyl or diphenyl) is an aromatic hydrocarbon that dissolves rapidly in organic solvents such as ether, alcohol, benzene and many others. This supplement does not work
Characteristic
The food additive E 230 (biphenyl or diphenyl) is an aromatic hydrocarbon that dissolves rapidly in organic solvents such as ether, alcohol, benzene and many others. This additive does not dissolve in water, it is a preservative that protects products from fungi and bacteria. Diphenyl E 230 is chemically stable, has no odor or taste, is naturally found in crude oil, coal tar, natural gas and is obtained from them by distillation. Large amounts of the substance needed in the production are obtained from benzene in thermal dehydration. For this reason, impurities are often found in the preservative E 230: phenyl phenol, oxy dibenzene, various aromatic compounds with a higher degree of polymerization.
Use
As a dietary supplement, E 230 is used to preserve the appearance of citrus fruits during transportation from distant lands. The preservative is applied to the peel of the fruit, so before eating, wash them well to avoid the harmful effects of the substance on the body. Diphenyl is also used: in the treatment of leather as an antiseptic, in the production of some non-flammable transformer oils, in the manufacture of dyes, as a coolant in nuclear reactors. The substance is banned in some countries as a dietary supplement.
Impact on humans
Diphenyl , and therefore E 223, is extremely toxic to the cardiovascular system, the liver, the nervous system, the kidneys. However, if the amount of one kilogram of body weight is within the permissible 0.5 mg, biphenyl is broken down in the body into non-toxic compounds and successfully excreted in the urine. The powder of the substance suppresses the activity of the central nervous system, can cause severe allergic reactions, skin diseases, irritates the respiratory tract and mucous membranes of the eyes.