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Preservatives
Optimizing Formula Preservation
By: Eric S. Abrutyn, TPC2 Advisors Ltd.
Posted: February 26, 2010, from the March 2010 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.
Documents
page 7 of 7
Much has been published about preservatives but the industry continues to run into issues with their formulation. The guidelines presented here are intended to assist formulators in minimizing potential issues. It is important for the formulating chemist to understand raw materials, why and when to use preservatives, and water activity for rapid screening of a formula’s robustness. In addition, it is crucial to remain diligent when transferring the formulation to the development engineer and processing plant.
Acknowledgements: The author wishes to extend a special thanks to John Garruto of Free Radical Technology and Susan Lindstrom of ISP Corporation for their support with this column.
Reproduction of the article without expressed consent is strictly prohibited.
References
Send e-mail to tpc2advisors@yahoo.com.
1. Harry’s Cosmeticology, M Rieger, ed, Chemical Publishing Co Inc: New York (2000) ch 1
2. D Steinberg, Preservatives for Cosmetics, Second Edition, Allured Business Media: Carol Stream, IL, USA (2006) pp 6-7
3. RR Friedal, The application of water activity measurement to the microbiological attributes testing of non-sterile over-the-counter drug products, Pharmacopeial Forum 24: 2 6087-6090 (1998)
4. Water activity, Ohio State University Web site, available at http://class.fst.ohio-state.edu/fst605/laboratories/lab%201_water%20activity.pdf (accessed Jan 26, 2010)
5. LR Beuchat, Water activity and microbial stability, Center for Food Safety and Department of Food Science and Technology Web site, available at www.wateractivity.org/BeuchatIFT2002.pdf (accessed Jan 20, 2010).
6. DC Steinberg, The Chemistry and Manufacturing of Cosmetics, Third Edition, Allured Business Media: Carol Stream, IL, USA vol 1 (2000) p 392
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