In parallel to the development efforts concentrating on enhancing popular mild systems to a new level, the natural route was also on the R&D map, due to the growing trend of natural ingredients in personal care formulations.


But the natural route is not always the answer. The definition of natural is unclear and not regulated. It is highly desired by some, but does not always meet the manufacturers’ demands, for reasons such as compatibility, cost, or availability. When it comes to broad spectrum protection, many natural solutions are less effective as a preservative so a higher level of use is required. Take cinnamon bark extract. Even the Indians used it to protect wounds. But the extract is a complex mixture of chemicals and not all of them are active. Only a few have the function we need as a preservative. 


 A new approach comes from natural-like solutions, bringing the best features of a natural ingredient, with the safety, quality and consistency of the lab. We suggest this route may be a key to filling the gaps of the preservation industry, building a bridge between chemical and natural. 


The task Sharon Laboratories set up to achieve was to create a broad spectrum, high efficacy preservative, which originates from natural compounds, but created in the lab. In the development process, many natural elements were screened for antibacterial and anti-fungi activity. Once a certain compound was identified, it was time to turn to the lab and choose a synthetic homologue


This R&D process resulted in a line of preservative blends based on the active ingredient maltol, which was identified as a key ingredient in this concept. It is a naturally occurring organic compound, found in several plants. It is not very common in personal care, but we found its properties bring value to the personal care industry as a preservative. 


It is used primarily as a flavour enhancer (as a food additive E636), found in the bark of larch tree, Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum), in pine needles, and more. It is also used as intermediate in pharmaceuticals. It comes as a white crystalline powder. It has EWG score of 1, is approved as GRAS and has a good solubility in water. 


It has interesting antimicrobial activity, but not sufficient to be considered as a sole preservative. In the quest to enhance the properties of maltol, the addition of a cationic surfactant component within a specific range was found to be the best solution.


source from https://www.personalcaremagazine.com/