Tertiary Butylhydroquinone(TBHQ) Existing as white or light mahogany crystalline powder, Tert-Butyl Hydroquinone (TBHQ) has a very special thin fragrance. Tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) is a vital product of our food additives and food ingredients. It is almost insoluble in water (about 5 ‰), but is soluble in ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl ester, aether and vegetable oil, lard, and so on. Tert-butyl hydroquinone plays the role of antisepsis for most of the oils, especially vegetable oil. It will not change color when meets iron and copper, but it will turn into pink when there is alkali.