Sclerotium Gum

By Maria Miller

INCI: Sclerotium Gum

CAS: 39464-87-4

RAW Material: Sclerotium Rolfsii

Sclerotium Gum is a natural polysaccharide widely used in various applications for its gelling, stabilizing, and hydrating properties. (2)

Researchers obtain this renewable resource by fermenting Sclerotium Rolfsii, a corticoid fungus from the order of Amylocorticiales, in a glucose-enriched medium. (2)

It is an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based ingredients. The ingredient is safe for cosmetics and other applications thanks to its favorable toxicology profile. (2)

One advantage of sclerotium gum is that it is biodegradable, meaning microorganisms can break it down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, making it a viable alternative to non-biodegradable synthetic polymers. (1,2)

The production process requires glucose from corn, wheat, or sugar cane. It can have negative environmental impacts due to the intensive use of land, water, fertilizers, pesticides, and equipment that need resources to operate. (2,3)

The fermentation of Sclerotium Rolfsii requires precise control of factors such as pH, temperature, and aeration to guarantee its quality and consistency. However, this control also entails energy consumption and the use of equipment, with associated environmental and economic costs. One of the high ecological costs is the emission of greenhouse gases during energy production (2,3)

After the fermentation cycle, technicians sterilize the broth to inactivate fungal cells and unwanted enzymes. They then separate the cells from the exopolysaccharide (sclerotium gum), dry the gum, and blend it into a homogeneous powder. (2,3)

Cited links:

 

Tags: Conditioning, Moisturizing