Butylated hydroxytoluene, lipid-enveloped viruses, and AIDS

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a potent inactivator of lipid-enveloped viruses. The viral envelope structure is physically disturbed by BHT, thereby interfering with viral adsorption to host cells. Since the virus responsible for AIDS (HTLV III) contains a lipid envelope, BHT warrants investigation as a potential antiviral agent against the AIDS virus.