Inolex has been issued new patents for the use of caprylhydroxamic acid and related alkylhydroxamic acids to preserve personal care formulations.
Caprylhydroxamic acid (CHA) is a 100% natural and readily biodegradable chelating agent that binds iron ions, resulting in a strong fungistatic effect.
Additionally, its C8 acyl carbon chain imparts bacteriostatic activity.
Their combination provides strong preservation efficacy for personal care formulations, creating an environment that inhibits microbial growth.
According to the specialty chemicals company, combinations of CHA with medium chain terminal diols (MCTDs) are ideal for microbial control in cosmetic formulations.
The newly issued US Patent US11291204B2 is titled ‘Preservatives for cosmetic, toiletry and pharmaceutical compositions’ and covers preservation compositions having a C6, C8, C10, or C12 alkylhydroxamic acid, including CHA, in combination with a variety of medium chain terminal diols such as caprylyl glycol, glyceryl caprylate and caprylyl glyceryl ether.
Products covered by this patent are offered under the Spectrastat brand, and include Spectrastat, Spectrastat G2 Natural MB, Spectrastat CGE Natural MB, and Spectrastat MHG Natural MB, said Inolex.
In addition to the US patent, Inolex has secured Chinese Patent CN107595662B, titled ‘Synergistic compositions, formulations and related methods for reducing ultraviolet-induced lipid peroxidation’.
It covers synergistic compositions of alkylhydroxyamic acids (including CHA) with antioxidants to reduce ultraviolet-induced lipid peroxidation.
The patent also claims alkylhydroxamic acids in combination with antioxidants including ascorbic acid; sodium ascorbyl phosphate; ascorbyl palmitate; tocopherols (vitamin E); tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E acetate); butylated hydroxytoluene; butylated hydroxyanisole; resveratrol; quercetin; uric acid; carotenes; glutathione; melatonin and mixtures thereof.
An additional patent application in Europe for the use of combinations of alkyl ethers of glycerol and CHA in cosmetic and dermatological formulations is pending.
“The innovation enabled by Inolex’s patents, employing synergistic combinations of multifunctional ingredients as key components of a hurdle technology approach, is displacing traditional biocidal methods to preservation,” said Michael J Fevola, the company’s VP Research & Development and Product Stewardship.
“Our platforms offer advances that decrease toxicological risks and environmental impact, creating a new standard for brands to achieve safe and effective preservation of cosmetics and personal care products.”
