Cosmetic Ingredient (Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharides)

SACRANEX is a cosmetic ingredient based on polysaccharides obtained from indoor-cultivated Aphanothece sacrum. It has a high water-holding capacity and forms a network-like film on the skin's surface, making it suitable for a wide range of skincare products.

Its water-holding and film-forming properties can be used to develop formulations intended to support claims such as 'moisturizes the skin,' 'retains moisture and prevents dryness' and 'protects the skin.' Claims such as 'helps prevent skin roughness' and 'conditions the skin' may also be considered, depending on the formulation and evaluation results. Specific wording should be determined based on the characteristics of the finished product and the rules applicable in the country or region where it is sold.

SACRANEX is suitable for aqueous formulations such as toners, water-based serums and gels, as well as oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions such as milks and creams. In addition to moisturization and film formation, it can be used to adjust sensory properties, including viscosity and the feeling of body during application.

Fluorescence imaging has shown SACRANEX covering the skin's surface in a continuous network. Another characteristic is the smooth, dry feel it provides after application and drying.

Evaluations measuring stratum corneum hydration have confirmed an increase compared with baseline following continued use of SACRANEX. Please contact us for detailed test conditions and research data.

Evaluation of stress-response markers associated with UVB exposure showed lower marker expression under conditions in which SACRANEX was applied. These findings suggest that SACRANEX may help support a skin environment that is less susceptible to the effects of UVB stress.

The viscoelastic and shear-thinning properties observed in aqueous solutions suggest that SACRANEX can be used to develop formulations with viscosity and body that spread easily during application. The actual skin feel depends on the use level and on other thickeners, humectants, oils, salts and other ingredients, so it should be assessed in the finished formulation.

The recommended use levels for SACRANEX™ are 2–10% for liquid grades and 0.01–0.1% for the powder grade. The appropriate level depends on the grade, formulation type, desired function and skin feel. We can recommend a use level tailored to your formulation. Please contact us for details.

The liquid grades offer ease of incorporation, while the powder grade provides greater flexibility in formulation design. We can recommend a suitable grade based on your formulation type, manufacturing process and desired skin feel.

The method of incorporation depends on the formulation type and composition. For emulsions, we recommend adding SACRANEX to the aqueous phase before emulsification. Please contact us for incorporation procedures suited to your formulation conditions.

SACRANEX can be used in formulations that involve heating, but the appropriate method depends on the grade, temperature, heating duration and other conditions. Please contact us for guidance on specific heating conditions.

The physical properties of SACRANEX, including viscosity, may be affected by the formulation's pH and by the types and concentrations of salts present. Preliminary evaluation is particularly recommended under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions and in formulations containing multivalent metal ions.

Care is needed with strongly acidic or alkaline formulations and those containing multivalent metal salts. Depending on the conditions, a decrease in viscosity or gelation may occur. Please contact us to discuss your specific formulation.

Evaluations of aqueous solutions show behavior close to the gelation threshold at a polysaccharide concentration of approximately 0.05%, where elastic and viscous properties are of a similar magnitude. At higher concentrations, elastic behavior predominates, suggesting network formation. SACRANEX also exhibits shear thinning, meaning that viscosity decreases as the shear rate increases.

The properties of polysaccharides depend on both the types of sugars present and how they are linked. Studies of the partial structure of the polysaccharide that is the main component of SACRANEX have proposed a model with a relatively rigid backbone and hydrophilic side chains. It also contains carboxyl and sulfate groups that interact with water and ions. These long polysaccharide chains are thought to assemble into water-holding networks and films.

The main component of SACRANEX is a polysaccharide of ultrahigh molecular weight produced by Aphanothece sacrum from multiple types of sugars. Genetic analyses suggest the involvement of mechanisms that repeatedly link groups of sugars and regulate chain length. However, the detailed mechanism responsible for these exceptionally long chains is still being investigated.