Moringa Oleifera Seedcake Extract is a product of natural origin that comes from the seeds of the Moringa Oleifera tree, Belonging to the botanical family Moringaceae, often referred to as the "drumstick tree" or "horseradish tree".
The name describes the structure of the molecule.
- Moringa oleifera is a tropical tree known for its numerous beneficial properties. The seed extract comes from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree and contains antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins, and other beneficial compounds, it's known for its antioxidant, moisturizing, anti-aging properties and is often used in skincare and haircare products.
Description of raw materials used in production.
- The primary raw material is the seed of the Moringa oleifera tree. These seeds are harvested from the trees, then cleaned and processed for extraction.
Industrial Production Process
- Seed Collection and Preparation: Moringa Oleifera seeds are collected, cleaned, and dehulled. They are then pressed to extract the oil, leaving the seedcake as a by-product.
- Drying the Seedcake: The residual seedcake from the oil pressing is dried to reduce moisture content and facilitate the extraction of bioactive compounds.
- Grinding: The dried seedcake is then ground into a fine powder to increase the contact surface during the extraction process.
- Extraction: The seedcake powder undergoes an extraction process using solvents such as water, ethanol, or a mixture of both, depending on the specific properties desired in the final extract. This process can be performed hot or cold to extract the active ingredients.
- Filtration and Concentration: The obtained liquid extract is filtered to remove solid residues and then concentrated under vacuum to reduce solvent content, thus obtaining a concentrated extract.
- Purification: If necessary, the extract can be further purified to remove impurities and concentrate the active principles.
- Quality Control: The seedcake extract undergoes quality control checks to verify the concentration of active ingredients, purity, and the absence of contaminants. These tests can include spectroscopic, chromatographic, and microbiological analyses.
Moringa oleifera seed extract is typically a viscous liquid ranging in color from light brown to green.
What it is for and where
Medical
Traditionally, Moringa seeds have been used to treat edema, arthritis, epilepsy and other health problems.
Phytochemical analysis found beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and polyphenols with antioxidant activity (1), lecithin with antibacterial activity (2), and the ethyl acetate fraction showed strong anti-inflammatory activity (3).
Cosmetics
Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.
Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.
Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
Commercial Applications
Cosmetics. Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract is recognized for its antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used in creams, lotions, and other skincare products to moisturize, protect, and rejuvenate the skin.
Purifying Products. Moringa seed extract has purifying qualities and can be used in water purification products and as a natural cleansing agent in cosmetics.
Nutrition. Moringa extract can be utilized as a dietary supplement due to its rich nutritive properties.
