Medicago Sativa Extract is inserted in cosmetic products as a skin-conditioning agent. It is obtained from the alfalfa plant or alfalfa grass, which belongs to the Fabaceae family. 

Industrial Production Process

• Preparation of reagents. The main raw materials include Medicago sativa plants (alfalfa) and water. Additional solvents may be prepared according to the extraction technique used.
• Harvesting and preparation. Alfalfa plants are harvested at peak maturity to ensure the maximum concentration of bioactive compounds. The harvested plants are then washed to remove dirt and impurities.
• Drying and grinding. The washed plants are dried at a controlled temperature to preserve nutrients and volatile compounds. Once dried, the plants are ground into a fine powder.
• Extraction. The alfalfa powder is soaked in a suitable solvent, such as water, ethanol, or a mixture of both. The mixture is heated and agitated to enhance the extraction of bioactive compounds.
• Filtration and removal of impurities. The extracted mixture is filtered to remove solid residues and impurities, resulting in a solution rich in bioactive compounds.
• Concentration. The filtered solution is concentrated through vacuum evaporation to remove excess water and increase the concentration of the extract.
• Stabilization. The concentrated extract is stabilized to ensure its stability during transportation and storage, preventing degradation.
• Quality control. The alfalfa extract undergoes rigorous quality testing to ensure it meets standards for purity, efficacy, and safety. These tests include chemical analysis, spectroscopy, and microbiological testing.

What it is used for and where

Medicago Sativa extract, commonly known as alfalfa extract, is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a valuable ingredient for cosmetic formulations. This extract helps to improve skin vitality by stimulating cell regeneration and enhancing natural collagen production, which contributes to maintaining elastic and youthful skin. It is ideal for anti-aging treatments, nourishing creams, and skincare products aimed at strengthening and toning. Alfalfa extract is also used for its benefits in improving skin tone and reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.

Cosmetics - INCI Functions

• Tonic. This product is used to treat the hair when the scalp is clean or after shampooing. It stimulates hair growth, revitalises the scalp for healthy hair growth and reduces hair loss. It provides a feeling of well-being on skin and hair.

CAS   84082-36-0

EC number   281-984-0

Cosmetic Applications

Antioxidant Properties. This compound is rich in antioxidants that protect the skin from damage by free radicals and pollution, helping to prevent premature aging (1).

Revitalizing Effects. It nourishes and revitalizes the skin, improving brightness and overall tone due to its essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

Moisturization. Enhances skin hydration, helping to keep skin supple and reducing the appearance of fine lines (2).

Purification. Helps detoxify the skin by removing impurities and toxins, which improves skin clarity and health.

Versatile Applications. It can be used in a variety of cosmetic products, such as creams, serums, lotions, and masks, for its multiple beneficial properties for the skin.

Other Applications

Dietary Supplements. It is often used in supplements to leverage its nutritional benefits, improving overall health and wellness (3).

Natural Health Products. Used in herbal teas and other herbal products for its tonic and invigorating properties.

Animal Health Products. Also employed in animal supplements to enhance their nutrition and promote better overall health.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Zagórska-Dziok M, Ziemlewska A, Nizioł-Łukaszewska Z, Bujak T. Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxicity of Medicago sativa L. Seeds and Herb Extract on Skin Cells. Biores Open Access. 2020 Oct 23;9(1):229-242. doi: 10.1089/biores.2020.0015.

(2) Rodrigues, F., Palmeira-de-Oliveira, A., das Neves, J., Sarmento, B., Amaral, M. H., & Oliveira, M. B. (2013). Medicago spp. extracts as promising ingredients for skin care products. Industrial crops and products, 49, 634-644.

Abstract. Agro-industrial by-products have the potential to be used with different purposes thus providing economical advantage to otherwise disposable residues. In particular, the field of skin care products and cosmetics may benefit from these remaining materials. Hydro-alcoholic extracts of seven species of Medicago (M. minima, M. tornata, M. truncatula, M. rigidula, M. scutelata, M. segitalis and M. sativa) were screened for antioxidant, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities aiming at their application as functional ingredient in skin formulations. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by standard methods such as DPPH· and FRAP. In both methods the antioxidant activity of M. segitalis displayed the highest antioxidant activity (214.49 ± 6.69 μmol Trolox equivalent per g db for DPPH; 120.84 ± 1.86 μmol/mg db for FRAP). For DPPH M. rigidula showed the lowest antioxidant activity (127.18 ± 1.96 μmol Trolox equivalent per g db) and for FRAP M. minima showed the lowest one (58.05 ± 6.09 μmol per mg db). Also, the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively) were evaluated. The TPC of the different extracts varied from 21.96 mg to 36.41 mg GAE/g db sample, being the highest TPC obtained for M. minima and the lowest for the M. scutelata. TFC varied from 5.54 to 11.67 mg CEQ/g db sample. Linear negative correlations were established between the total phenol contents and for both the antioxidant activity methods. The extracts were also screened for cytotoxicity using MTS and LDH assays in two different skin cell lines (HaCaT and HFF-1) and showed low cytotoxicity. Preliminary assays for antimicrobial potential showed that extracts from Medicago display antibacterial activity, with MIC values of 31.3 μg/mL and 125 μg/mL for some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Taken together, the results suggested that Medicago hydro-alcoholic extracts are a potential source of natural compounds with high levels of antioxidant activity, low cytotoxicity for skin cells and the ability to potentially prevent microbial infections of the skin due to its antimicrobial effect, as well as contribute as a natural preservative in cosmetic products. All referred above justify their possible uses in skin care products.

(3) Francis H, Debs E, Koubaa M, Alrayess Z, Maroun RG, Louka N. Sprouts Use as Functional Foods. Optimization of Germination of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Seeds Based on Their Nutritional Content Evolution. Foods. 2022 May 18;11(10):1460. doi: 10.3390/foods11101460.

Abstract. Wheat, alfalfa, and radish sprouts are well-renowned for their high nutritional content. However, their optimal imbibition and germination durations are rarely considered in the literature. In this study, reduced imbibition times of 3 h, 10 h, and 4 h were demonstrated for the wheat, alfalfa, and radish seeds, respectively. The evolution of their crude fat, proteins, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and vitamins were investigated over 7 days of germination. The crude fat and protein loads of these sprouts slightly varied during germination, whereas the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity maxed out at day 7, 5, and 6 for the wheat, alfalfa, and radish sprouts, respectively, with significant levels of catechin. The vitamins highly increased, showing noteworthy yet different peaks of growth depending on the seed and the vitamin analyzed. Interestingly, alfalfa and radish sprouts, taken at their optimal germination day, would decidedly contribute to meet our Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) of vitamins E, A, and B6. Overall, for a greater nutritional content and a potential use of these sprouts as nutraceutical ingredients, our results suggested to leave the wheat, alfalfa, and radish seeds to germinate only over 7, 4, and 6 days, respectively, after which their nutritional quality tended to decrease.