Tetrapeptide-61 is a synthetic peptide composed of alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and glycine, widely used in various cosmetic products for its antioxidant, antiplaque, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, and skin protecting properties.
Peptides, natural and synthetic, have the ability to activate an immunomodulatory action by interacting with the cells of the immune system (1).
Chemical Composition and Structure
Tetrapeptide-61 is a synthetic peptide consisting of a sequence of four amino acids: alanine (Ala), aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), and glycine (Gly). This specific peptide sequence contributes to its bioactive properties, enhancing cellular communication and providing multiple skin and hair benefits.
Physical Properties
Tetrapeptide-61 typically appears as a white or off-white powder. It is soluble in water, making it suitable for inclusion in various cosmetic formulations such as serums, creams, lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. Its chemical stability and compatibility with other active ingredients make it a versatile component in skincare and haircare formulations.
Industrial Production Process
- Preparation of reagents. The main raw materials include the amino acids alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and glycine, as well as reagents necessary for peptide synthesis such as protecting reagents and activation reagents.
- Protection of amino acids. The amino acids are protected using specific protective groups to prevent undesired reactions during synthesis. For example, amine groups can be protected with the Fmoc (fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl) group and carboxyl groups with the t-butyl (tBu) group.
- Activation of amino acids. The protected amino acids are activated for the peptide coupling reaction. This can be achieved using coupling reagents such as HBTU (N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-O-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)uronium hexafluorophosphate) or DIC (diisopropylcarbodiimide).
- Peptide synthesis. The synthesis of the tetrapeptide is carried out sequentially. The initial amino acid is fixed to a solid support (resin) and the subsequent amino acids are added one at a time through coupling reactions. Each cycle includes activation of the amino acid, coupling with the previous amino acid, and removal of the protective group.
Coupling of glycine: The protected glycine is activated and coupled to the resin.
Coupling of glutamic acid: The protected glutamic acid is activated and coupled to glycine.
Coupling of aspartic acid: The protected aspartic acid is activated and coupled to glutamic acid.
Coupling of alanine: The protected alanine is activated and coupled to aspartic acid.
- Removal of protective groups. After all amino acids have been coupled, the protective groups are removed to release the tetrapeptide from the resin.
- Purification. The crude tetrapeptide is purified using techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to remove any impurities and obtain a pure product.
- Drying. The purified tetrapeptide is dried to remove residual solvents and obtain a dry product.
- Quality control. The purified tetrapeptide undergoes rigorous quality testing to ensure it meets standards for purity and safety. These tests include amino acid sequence analysis, mass spectrometry, and chromatography.
What it is used for and where
Cosmetics - INCI Functions
- Antioxidant agent. Ingredient that counteracts oxidative stress and prevents cell damage. Free radicals, pathological inflammatory processes, reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species are responsible for the ageing process and many diseases caused by oxidation.
- Antiplaque agent. This ingredient has the property of preventing the onset of caries by fighting the bacteria responsible for acid corrosion of teeth.
- Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.
- 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.
- Skin protectant. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to defend it from harmful substances, irritants, allergens, pathogens that can cause various inflammatory conditions. These products can also improve the natural skin barrier and in most cases more than one is needed to achieve an effective result.
Safety
Tetrapeptide-61 is generally considered safe for use in cosmetic products. It is non-irritating and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. However, it is always important to use it according to recommended guidelines to ensure product safety and efficacy. As a synthetic peptide, it is biodegradable and poses minimal risk to the environment when disposed of properly.
