- they differ form benzoic acid in that they have antimicrobial activity in both acid and alkaline pH regions.
- the antimicrobial activity in parabens is proportional to the chain length of the alkyl group.
- parabens are more active against molds and yeast than against bacteria, and more active against gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria.
- They are used in fruitcakes, and fruit-fillings.