Description

Sclerocarya Birrea Seedcake is the residual material obtained after the extraction of oil from the seeds of the Sclerocarya Birrea tree, commonly known as marula. This byproduct is rich in proteins, fibers, and residual oils, making it valuable for various applications in cosmetics, animal feed, and potentially in nutritional supplements.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Sclerocarya Birrea Seedcake contains a variety of bioactive compounds:

Proteins: High in essential amino acids, beneficial for skin and hair care formulations.
Fibers: Contributing to the seedcake's structure and exfoliating properties.
Residual Oils: Including fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid.
Minerals: Essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Antioxidants: Including polyphenols and tocopherols, which provide protective benefits.

Physical Properties

Sclerocarya Birrea Seedcake is typically a dry, coarse powder or cake-like material, brown to dark brown in color. It has a mild, nutty aroma and a slightly gritty texture, making it suitable for exfoliating formulations.

Production Process

Seed Collection: Seeds are harvested from mature Sclerocarya Birrea trees.
Cleaning: The seeds are cleaned to remove any pulp or debris.
Oil Extraction: The oil is extracted from the seeds using cold pressing or solvent extraction methods.
Seedcake Collection: The residual material, or seedcake, is collected after the oil extraction process.
Drying: The seedcake is dried to reduce moisture content and improve shelf life.
Grinding (Optional): The dried seedcake can be ground into a finer powder for specific applications.
Quality Control: Rigorous quality tests are conducted to evaluate the purity, stability, and composition of the seedcake, including chemical and microbiological analyses.

Applications

Cosmetic Products: Used in scrubs, masks, and exfoliating creams for its gentle abrasive properties and nutrient content.
Skin Care: Ideal for formulations aimed at exfoliating, revitalizing, and nourishing the skin due to its high protein and antioxidant content.
Animal Feed: Used as a protein-rich ingredient in animal feed.
Nutritional Supplements: Potentially used in supplements for its high nutritional value.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Sclerocarya Birrea Seedcake is generally considered safe for use in cosmetic, nutritional, and animal feed products. It is non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin. Sustainable harvesting and processing practices are essential to ensure the continued availability of Sclerocarya Birrea and to protect the biodiversity of the regions where it is grown.

INCI


Abrasive agent. It contains abrasive particles to remove stains or biofilm that accumulate on the stratum corneum or teeth. Baking soda, kieselguhr, silica and many others have abrasive properties. Peeling or exfoliating products used in dermatology or cosmetic applications contain abrasive agents in the form of synthetic microspheres, however, these microspheres, or abrasive particles may not be biodegradable and create pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

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: