Title:Tannic acid and Gallic Acid as Alternative Compounds for the Application as Preservatives in Cosmetic Products
Volume: 3
Author(s): Marta Michalska-Sionkowska, Lidia Zasada and Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepańska*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biomaterials and Cosmetic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry,
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
Keywords:
Tannic acid, gallic acid, preservatives, cosmetics, MIC, MBC.
Abstract:
Introduction: Tannic acid and gallic acid have been known as natural compounds
with antibacterial activity. In this work, the antimicrobial efficiency of tannic acid
(TA) and gallic acid (GA), as well as their mixtures, was tested.
Method: During the research, the minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal bactericidal
concentration, and fractional inhibitory concentration were defined. Based on them, for further
study, mixtures of TA/GA in ratios 50:50 and 80:20 were chosen as a preservation
mixture applied to the cosmetic emulsion.
Results: The obtained cosmetics emulsions were analyzed for the total mesophilic aerobic
bacteria count and the total combined yeast count. The preservation efficiency test was
performed according to the ISO 11930 standard. A stability test for cosmetics formulation
was also carried out.
Conclusion: The preservation mixture of TA/GA in an 80:20 ratio incorporated in the cosmetics
formulation showed good preservation efficiency and could be considered a natural
origin preservative.
