Clay with Antioxidants for Lasting Body Scrubs

Greg Howard
14th April, 2024

Clay with Antioxidants for Lasting Body Scrubs

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • In Thailand, clay combined with plant extracts creates a stable antioxidant for cosmetics
  • The best storage for this antioxidant clay is at 4°C, maintaining its protective qualities
  • Over 28 days, the clay kept its antioxidant power, suggesting long-term cosmetic benefits
Clay has been a material of interest for centuries, valued for its diverse applications ranging from pottery to medicinal uses. Recently, researchers at Buriram Rajabhat University have embarked on a new journey to explore the potential of clay as a stable carrier for natural antioxidants in cosmetic products[1]. This study is particularly timely as consumers increasingly seek out products with natural ingredients and as the industry grapples with the challenge of preserving the integrity of these ingredients in various formulations. The study focuses on volcanic clay, known for its mineral-rich composition, and its interaction with herbal plants like Bougainvillea spp., Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb., and Curcuma longa L. These plants were selected due to their high phenolic content, which are compounds with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are crucial in cosmetics as they protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by environmental factors like pollution and UV radiation. Researchers created a body mud scrub by combining the clay with extracts from the chosen plants in what is known as a solid-state reaction. This process allows the clay to adsorb the plant compounds effectively, potentially enhancing the stability of the antioxidants. The study aimed to determine the optimal conditions for preserving the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the bio-clay formulations. The findings revealed that storing the samples at 4°C was the best condition for maintaining TPC and antioxidant activity, as measured by the DPPH radical scavenging assay and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The lower the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), the more potent the antioxidant activity, and the results indicated that the bio-clay formulations had strong antioxidant properties. Over a 28-day storage period, the stability of the bio-clay was impressive. The samples containing Bougainvillea spp. and Curcuma longa L., both alone and in combination with the purified clay, showed stable active phenolic compounds and retained their antioxidant activity. This suggests that the bio-clay could serve as an effective ingredient in cosmetics, providing antioxidant benefits over an extended period. The concept of using clay minerals to adsorb and stabilize bioactive compounds is not entirely new. Previous studies have shown that clay minerals can be modified to enhance their adsorption properties[2]. For instance, functionalized clays with high adsorption capacity have been synthesized to remove environmental pollutants. This principle of modification and adsorption is smartly applied in the current study, where clay's natural properties are used to stabilize plant-derived antioxidants. Moreover, the study builds on the knowledge that certain clays, like montmorillonite, can stabilize colorants in food applications[3]. This parallels the current research, as both involve the stabilization of natural compounds, albeit for different end uses. Additionally, the research on betacyanin pigments from Basella rubra has shown that natural additives can significantly affect the stability of these pigments in beverages[4]. This highlights the importance of understanding how natural compounds interact with their environment and the role of additives or carriers, such as clay, in maintaining their stability. In summary, the study conducted by Buriram Rajabhat University not only adds to the growing body of research on the applications of clay but also offers a practical solution to the cosmetic industry's challenge of preserving the efficacy of natural antioxidants in their products. By utilizing the adsorptive properties of volcanic clay, combined with the potent antioxidant phenolic compounds from selected herbal plants, the researchers have created a bio-clay formulation that shows promise as a stable and effective ingredient in skincare. This advancement may pave the way for further exploration of clay's potential in a variety of health and beauty applications, leveraging its natural properties to enhance product performance and appeal to consumers seeking natural alternatives.

EnvironmentHealthBiotech

References

Main Study

1) Bio-clay: Antioxidant-rich and stable for body mud scrubs.

Published 15th April, 2024 (future Journal edition)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29122

Related Studies

2) The advantages of clay mineral modification methods for enhancing adsorption efficiency in wastewater treatment: a review.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10985-9

3) Stabilizing effect of montmorillonite on acerola juice anthocyanins.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.11.076

4) Evaluating the effect of additives on stability of betacyanin pigments from Basella rubra in a model beverage system during storage.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-020-04635-8


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