MULTI-FUNCTIONAL EXOPOLYSACCHARIDE

SACRANEX™

New Business / Developed Products

Health Care

In a world where skincare meets science, there emerges a next-generation ingredient that embodies the essence of nature's protection, multi-benefit wonder, and unwavering sustainability - SACRANEX™. SACRANEX™, extracted from extracellular matrix of indoor-cultivated Aphanothece Sacrum (blue-green algae), are renowned for their ability to protect the cell from environmental aggressors. This creates a seamless, breathable second-skin layer of natural protection, ensuring your skin’s wellness and radiance remain intact.

Sustainability and Modernization

While algae-based cosmetic ingredients are often sourced from the sea, Aphanothece Sacrum is river algae, found exclusively in the subsoil water of the Aso region in the southern part of Japan. This unique river algae has thrived in its purest natural habitat for generations. In recent times, efforts have been made to modernize the cultivation process while maintaining its traditional essence. DIC has leveraged the extensive cultivation and extraction techniques honed through its Spirulina business to establish artificial cultivation methods for SACRANEX™. This innovation in cultivation techniques and sustainable practices ensure the continued production of Aphanothece Sacrum in harmony with the environment.

water of the Aso region in the southern part of Japan

Unique structure

SACRANEX™, a heteropolysaccharide with an extremely high molecular weight, features a complex composition of various sugars (see the table). The molecules of SACRANEX™ are remarkably long, extending up to 10 micrometers¹⁾, and they exhibit a microfiber structure, resulting in a light texture by forming breathable microfiber shield on the skin.

The aqueous solution of SACRANEX™ is highly viscous even at very low concentration due to its ability to form structured phase , ranging from double helical to nematic liquid crystal at different concentration²⁾. This unique 3D network, combined with hydrogen bonding between the various polar groups and water molecules, tightly wraps the water within the network³⁾. Our recent pulse-NMR study indicates that SACRANEX™ binds water molecules more effectively and strongly than other polysaccharides like hyaluronic acid or carrageenan. The breathable second skin layer of SACRANEX™ continuously release bound water molecules, keeping the skin supple and ensuring long-lasting hydration.

Furthermore, approximately 11%⁴⁾ of its monosaccharide components are sulfated, which not only contributes to water retention but also enhances its distinctive biological activities that maintain skin wellness. The uniqueness of SACRANEX™ lies in its ability to deliver long-lasting hydration and additional biological activities. Those effects are maximized by the formation of ultra-thin layers on the skin, setting SACRANEX™ apart from other polysaccharides.

1) M. Okajima et al. Pure Appl. Chem., 79, 2039-2046 (2007)
2) K. Okeyoshi et al. Polymer Journal (2021) 53:81-91
3) T. Zhang et al. Arabian Journal of Chemistry (2022) 15, 104163
4) M. Okajima et al. Langmuir-2009,-25, 8526-8531

Key Benefits

SACRANEX™ offers a multitude of benefits for your skin:

Visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles : Achieve smoother skin
Long-lasting hydration : Offer deep, enduring moisture that keeps your skin supple
Reduces skin redness : Calm and soothe your skin

In addition to those core benefits, SACRANEX™ also provides

Anti-pollution protection : Shield your skin from environmental stressors
SPF boosting : Enhance the effectiveness of sun protection
Emulsifying function : Improve the texture and stability of skincare formulations

Wrinkle Area Reduction - Stratum Corneum Moisture Content - SPF analysis

Discover the captivating physico-chemical properties, transformative biological activities and inherent capacity for natural shielding that define SACRANEX™’s essence.