Description

Acer Saccharum Sap, commonly known as maple sap, is a clear, slightly sweet liquid harvested from the sugar maple tree (Acer saccharum). This sap is primarily known for its role in the production of maple syrup but is also valued for its potential benefits in cosmetic formulations and skincare.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Maple sap is mainly composed of water, with dissolved solids primarily consisting of sugars (mainly sucrose), organic acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Key components include:

Sugars: Sucrose (primary sugar), glucose, and fructose.
Organic Acids: Malic acid and formic acid.
Vitamins: Vitamin B6, riboflavin, and niacin.
Minerals: Calcium, potassium, magnesium, and manganese.
The structure of maple sap is relatively simple, with sugars dissolved in water and traces of other organic compounds.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Clear or slightly cloudy liquid.
Odor: Mildly sweet, characteristic of maple syrup.
pH: Typically between 6.0 and 7.0.
Solubility: Completely soluble in water.

Production Process:

The sap is collected in early spring when temperatures fluctuate around freezing. The production process includes the following steps:

Tapping: Trees are drilled with a special tap, and a spout is inserted to collect the sap.
Transport: The collected sap is transported in containers and then filtered to remove any impurities.
Evaporation: The sap may be concentrated through evaporation to produce maple syrup or used directly in various formulations.
Packaging: After filtering and concentration (if necessary), the sap is packaged for use in cosmetic or food products.

Applications:

Medical: Limited use, but some research suggests potential benefits for hydration and as a source of minerals and antioxidants.
Cosmetics: Used in skincare products for its moisturizing properties and beneficial nutrient content. Found in cleansers, masks, and serums.
Food: Primarily used to produce maple syrup, a natural sweetener. It can also be used in recipes as a flavoring ingredient.
Environmental and Safety Considerations: Maple sap is generally safe for use in cosmetics and food products. It is important to ensure that harvesting and processing methods are environmentally sustainable to prevent deforestation and habitat destruction.

INCI Functions:


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: 91770-22-8 EC number 294-807-7