Preservatives Flashcards
What are the two most commonly used ingredients to prevent oil based products from oxidizing and going rancid?
Vitamin E and rosemary extract
Vitamin E and rosemary extract (a CO2 extract, not an essential oil) are natural antioxidants; these free radical scavenging compounds help reduce oxidation in oil-based substances (Hoffmann, 2003). When added to an oil-based preparation that might be exposed to oxygen, vitamin E and rosemary extract will prolong the shelf life of the product by slowing oxidation (Green, 2002). However, these will not inhibit the growth of bacteria or other microbes. Add these after melted wax, butter, or oil mixtures have cooled a bit.
Alchol
effective anitmicrobial: reduces the growth of bacteria and other potentially harmful organisms.
Incorporating tinctures into your herbal creams and lotions is a good way to add an alcohol-based preservative as well as a beneficial herb all at once.
How much alcohol needs to be added to a product in order for it to act as a preservative?
While incorporating some tincture or alcohol into your product will certainly boost stability, keep in mind that in order to entirely prevent the growth of microorganisms, you’ll need an alcohol concentration of at least 15% in your finished product—and since alcohol is fairly drying and astringent, including that much alcohol could undermine the purpose of your product!
What alcohol should be used when using alcohol as a preservative?
When incorporating alcohol or tinctures, use food-grade grain alcohol or a clear beverage alcohol such as vodka. Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) can never be used in tinctures or any other herbal preparations that will be ingested, and it’s also not typically recommended for use in topical preparations—not only is it a potential irritant, rubbing alcohol can be absorbed through the skin, and applying over large areas of skin can lead to serious health complications.
Refrigeration
Refrigeration is one of the best ways to ensure the longevity of a homemade topical preparation. The cold temperatures will inhibit the growth of mold and other bacteria (RIT Image Permanence Institute, 2019). However, mold can still grow and spread, especially if it’s on food. When storing creams and lotions in a refrigerator, make sure the jars are tightly closed, the refrigerator is clean, and all food is fresh and free of mold.
What are 3 naturally derived preservatives and what are there sources?
Leucidal, Natapres, and PhytoCide
Leucidal® Liquid SF and Natapres™, consists of peptides from fermented radishes.
PhytoCide is derived from naturally occurring phytonutrients like caffeic, caprylic, and lauric acids, propanediol, potassium sorbate, and salicylates found in foods and botanicals such as aspen bark, coconut, corn, and elderberry (Berry, 2019).
Which 2 preservatives are ECOCERT approved and can therefore be used in certified organic products
Leucidal® Liquid SF and Natapres™
Leucidal® Liquid SF
Effective concentration 2-4%
When to add: During cooling of emulsified recipe
Temperature <158 degrees F
PH 3-8
NataPres™
Effective concentration 0.5-2.5%
When to add: During cooling of emulsified recipe
Temperature <122 degrees F
PH 2-8
PytoCide Aspen Bark
Effective concentration 0.2-3%
When to add: Add to water phase before combining with oil
Temperature <140 degrees F
PH 3-9
Formula for calculating wieght of preservative
Finished Product Weight * Desired Preservative Concentration (as a decimal) = Weight of Preservative
