Lipopeptides in cosmetics

Lipopeptides are biosurfactants extensively used in cosmetics. The consumption of cosmetics containing lipopeptides is increasing as a result of the exceptional surface properties and diverse biological activities of lipopeptides which facilitate a vast number of applications not only in the pharmaceutics industry which includes cosmetics but also in the food industry. Cosmetics containing lipopeptides are available in various dosage forms according to their beneficial surface properties, which include anti-wrinkle and moisturizing activities and cleansing cosmetics. The microbial production of lipopeptides particularly those with biological and surface activities applicable to cosmetics are summarized based on appropriate studies and patents up to the year 2008 to manage the information and sufficiently review the data.     

The influence of Si-modified TiO2 on the activity of Ag/TiO2 in CO oxidation

Nanocrystalline TiO₂ and Si-modified TiO₂ with Si/Ti ratios 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.3 were prepared by the solvothermal method and employed as the supports for Ag/TiO₂ catalysts for CO oxidation reaction. The incorporation of Si into the TiO₂ lattice in the form of Ti–O–Si as revealed by FT-IR results could inhibit the agglomeration of TiO₂ crystallites, resulting in an increase of both surface area and metal dispersion. However, there existed an optimum content of Si/Ti at ca. 0.05–0.1 which resulted in an improved catalytic activity of Ag/TiO₂ in CO oxidation. Based on the O₂-temperature program desorption (O₂-TPD) results, the catalysts with appropriate amounts of Si/Ti exhibited higher amount of O₂ adsorption and much lower desorption temperature. It is suggested that the presence of Ti–O–Si promoted the formation of active oxygen species and increased the mobility of lattice oxygen so that the catalytic activity was enhanced. There was no improvement in CO oxidation activity of the Ag/TiO₂ catalyst when the Si/Ti was further increased to 0.3 due probably to the formation of amorphous SiO₂ instead of the Ti–O–Si bond.     

Therapeutic agents and herbs in topical application for acne treatment

Acne vulgaris suppresses an individual's self-confidence by causing distress with regard to physical appearance, which affects a significant number of individuals during puberty and is delineated by adolescence. Several treatments have been introduced to decrease the aesthetic and psychological problems caused by acne. The topical application of therapeutic agents has been found to be more feasible than hormonal treatment and laser therapy. The ingredients in topical acne treatments, particularly herbs and naturally derived compounds, have received considerable interest as they have fewer adverse effects than synthetic agents.     

Natural surfactants used in cosmetics: glycolipids

Cosmetic surfactant performs detergency, wetting, emulsifying, solubilizing, dispersing and foaming effects. Adverse reactions of chemical synthesis surfactant have an effect on environment and humans, particularly severe in long term. Biodegradability, low toxicity and ecological acceptability which are the benefits of naturally derived surfactant that promises cosmetic safety are, therefore, highly on demand. Biosurfactant producible from microorganisms exhibiting potential surface properties suitable for cosmetic applications especially incorporate with their biological activities. Sophorolipids, rhamnolipids and mannosylerythritol lipids are the most widely used glycolipids biosurfactant in cosmetics. Literatures and patents relevant to these three glycolipids reviewed were emphasizing on the cosmetic applications including personal care products presenting the cosmetic efficiency, efficacy and economy benefits of glycolipids biosurfactant.     

In Vitro and In Vivo Removal Efficacies of a Formulated Pumpkin Seed Oil Makeup Remover

Pumpkin seed oil is well known for its health benefits due to its high content of fatty acid constituents and tocopherols. The removal efficacy of pumpkin seed oil was assessed using UV–Vis spectroscopy. The oil was able to remove 79.92 ± 0.07%, 41.02 ± 0.25%, and 23.54 ± 0.19% of foundation and liquid and pen eyeliners. A stable makeup remover was formulated using 5–15% pumpkin seed oil. Addition of pumpkin seed oil significantly (P < 0.001) enhanced removal ability of the base remover. The remover containing 5% pumpkin seed oil was able to remove 89.27 ± 0.02%, 67.72 ± 0.08%, and 41.25 ± 0.07% of foundation, liquid, and pen eyeliners, respectively, while those of the remover containing 10% pumpkin seed oil were 78.24 ± 0.02%, 66.88 ± 0.05%, and 38.43 ± 0.05%, and those of the remover containing 15% pumpkin seed oil were 84.41 ± 0.01%, 69.79 ± 0.12%, and 41.88 ± 0.04%, respectively. On the other hand, removal efficiencies of the benchmark were 91.20 ± 0.03%, 73.46 ± 0.10%, and 54.00 ± 0.07%, respectively. The removers containing pumpkin seed oil did not cause skin irritation as monitored by a single closed-patch test in 10 female volunteers. The remover containing 5% pumpkin seed oil was further preference studied in 25 female volunteers in a comparison with the benchmark. The pumpkin seed oil remover gained a better overall preference over the benchmark (82.29 ± 4.17% and 80.20 ± 8.64%; P = 0.287). Of which, skin hydration of the developed bio-oil remover was significantly (P < 0.001) satisfied.     

Electrolytic admicellar polymerization of pyrrole on natural rubber/clay nanocomposites

Organic–inorganic composites consisting of natural rubber (NR), polypyrrole (PPy), and sodium montmorillonite (Na‐MMT) were synthesized via electrolytic admicellar polymerization. A constant potential of 9 volts was chosen for the synthesis. The PPy concentration was fixed at 100 mM, and the clay contents were varied from 1 to 7 parts per hundred of rubber (phr). The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), together with thermal stability (TGA), mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity (σ_dc) studies. The FTIR spectra indicated the characteristic peaks of both PPy and MMT clay and also evidenced a slight interaction between the PPy chain and the clay layers, verifying the success of electrolytic admicellar polymerization. XRD and TEM results pointed out the good dispersion of clay platelets in the polymer matrix, suggesting an exfoliated structure. The morphology of the nanocomposites was greatly dependent on the amount of MMT clay, especially at a 7 phr loading. The initial modulus and tensile strength of the nanocomposites containing the 7 phr loading were about four and two times higher, compared with unfilled NR/PPy, respectively. Thermal stability studies revealed a slight improvement in the decomposition temperature for the PPy component by the clay layers, whereas the opposite trend was found for the NR component. More interestingly, the electrical conductivity of the admicelled rubber increased significantly (～ 19–32 times) with increasing clay contents from 1 to 7 phr, in comparison with unfilled NR/PPy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation and dielectric properties of barium iron niobate by molten-salt synthesis

In this work, barium iron niobate; BaFe_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ powder has been successfully synthesized by molten salt method. The power was characterized by a variety technique. Pure phase perovskite was obtained at relative low calcination temperature of <700 °C. The powder exhibits a fine grain with a relatively uniform particle size and microstructure. In addition, BaFe_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ ceramics were prepared and its dielectric properties were investigated. The result suggested that the ceramic prepared from molten-salt synthesis may be has a better properties than that of the ceramics synthesized by a conventional method.     

Ecological dyeing of silk fabric with lac dye by using padding techniques

This research focuses on silk fabrics exhibiting different colour values and fastness properties. The samples were prepared by dyeing with lac as a natural colourant. Two padding techniques were used in the process, namely, the pad-batch and pad-dry techniques, under different conditions. Aluminium potassium sulphate, ferrous sulphate, copper sulphate and stannous chloride were used as mordants. The effects of differing dye concentrations added to the silk fabrics using a pre- and post-mordant method were studied and recorded. The colour fastness to washing, light, rubbing, water and perspiration of the dyed samples was performed according to the present ISO standard. Silk fabric dyed without mordant showed a pink shade, while those samples mordanted with stannous chloride and aluminium potassium sulphate displayed noticeably brighter red coloured shades. With the additional use of copper sulphate, the colour shade produced was violet, while darker grey shades were obtained by adding ferrous sulphate mordant. The test results regarding fastness properties ranged from fair to very good, while wash fastness ranged from very poor to poor.     

Moisturizing effect of alcohol-based hand rub containing okra polysaccharide

A natural, moisturizing alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) containing okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) polysaccharide was formulated to reduce the dryness caused by traditional hand-cleansing products. The ABHR developed also reduced infectious disease transmission. Preliminary evaluations of the stable natural hand hygiene preparations were conducted to determine preference and short-term moisturizing efficacy in volunteers. Formulations contained varying amounts of gelling agent (0.5% and 0.3% w/v). Accelerated stability testing using a centrifugation assay and six heating/cooling cycles of the ABHR bases were performed. Then, okra polysaccharide (5%, 7%, 10% and 15% w/w) was incorporated into the base, and stability tests were repeated. The moisturizing okra polysaccharide was compatible with the formulations at all concentrations. All of the formulated ABHRs were stable. Sensory evaluation was conducted in 36 volunteers. The two most preferred okra ABHRs were patch-tested in 12 volunteers; results indicated none of the preparations caused irritation. Efficacy of the most preferred moisturizing ABHR containing 0.3% gelling agent and 10% (w/v) okra extract was determined. Short-term moisturizing efficacy of a single application was examined in 20 volunteers. The okra ABHR hydrated skin significantly better than a control ABHR (P < 0.005) at 30 min after application. Skin moisture was retained for 210 min of the observation period. Thus, the ABHR product containing moisturizing okra is safe, efficacious and possesses desirable properties. The formulation can be applied every 3 h for good hand hygiene with moisturizing efficacy.