Description

Morus Alba Extract is an extract obtained from the Morus alba plant, a member of the Moraceae family. This extract is valued for its medicinal and beneficial properties, making it popular in various applications, particularly in the fields of cosmetics and medicine.

Chemical Composition and Structure

The chemical composition of Morus Alba Extract includes a variety of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, and vitamins. These compounds vary in structure: flavonoids possess phenolic structures, alkaloids have complex nitrogen-containing structures, and polysaccharides are long carbohydrate molecules.

Physical Properties

Morus Alba Extract typically appears as a light yellow to brown liquid, with a characteristic mild odor. It has a slightly bitter taste due to the presence of alkaloids. The pH of this extract can range from slightly acidic to neutral, usually between 4.5 and 7.0. It is soluble in water and can be easily mixed with other aqueous solutions.

Production Process

The production of Morus Alba Extract involves several steps:

Harvesting and Selection: the mature parts of the Morus alba plant are harvested and selected for quality
Washing: the harvested parts are thoroughly washed to remove dirt and contaminants
Drying: the washed parts are dried to reduce moisture content
Crushing and Maceration: the dried parts are crushed and macerated to release the active compounds
Extraction: the macerated plant material is subjected to an extraction process, typically using water or a water-based solvent, to obtain the extract
Filtration and Purification: the extract is filtered to remove solid residues and impurities
Concentration (optional): in some processes, the extract may be concentrated to enhance the potency of the active ingredients
Sterilization: the final product is sterilized to ensure microbiological safety.

Applications

Medicine: Morus Alba Extract is known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It is used in traditional medicine to treat conditions such as bacterial and fungal infections, gastrointestinal issues, and skin inflammations

Cosmetics: in the cosmetics industry, Morus Alba Extract is valued for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. It is commonly included in formulations of facial creams, serums, lotions, and acne treatment products

Others: beyond medical and cosmetic applications, Morus Alba Extract can also be used in personal care products such as shampoos and conditioners for its antimicrobial and soothing properties

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Environmental Impact: the production of Morus Alba Extract generally has a low environmental impact, especially when sustainable farming practices are employed. The use of natural solvents like water in the extraction process also minimizes the release of harmful chemicals into the environment

Safety: Morus Alba Extract is considered safe for topical and oral use in the concentrations typically employed in consumer products. However, it is essential to ensure that the extract is free from contaminants and pathogens. Allergic reactions are rare but cannot be excluded

INCI


Antifoaming agent. The constituent factors for foam stabilisation are the concentration of nanoparticles and hydrophobicity. Foam, even when used in separation operations such as fractionation or flotation, can cause a decrease in density and a deterioration in quality in cosmetic products. The defoaming agent (non-polar oil, silicone oils, hydrophobic solid particles or mixtures of both) is strongly influenced by viscosity and, to an almost directly proportional extent, concentration. However, defoamers can carry an irreversible source of contamination.

Cosmetic astringent. This ingredient exerts a direct effect on the skin by tightening dilated pores by contracting stratum corneum cells and removing superfluous oil.

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.
Synonyms:

CAS: 94167-05-2 EC number 303-403-2