Properties, micellization, and emulsification performance of a new non-toxic cosmetic preservative derived from natural resources: An alternative to 1,2-hexanediol

This study focuses on a new preservative, laurimino bispropanediol (LB), derived from natural resources. LB contains a hydrocarbon segment from natural plant oils and a hydrophilic component with glycerol analogs. LB can replace the widely used preservative 1,2-hexanediol. We hypothesized that LB might serve as an antimicrobial agent given the structural similarities of LB with 1,2-hexanediol and 1,2-octanediol. The key properties of LB, including the surface tension and the zeta potential, were measured, and LB behavior in solution examined. The feasibility of micellization was investigated via dynamic light scattering and fluorescence measurements employing common dyes such as pyrene and fluorescein sodium salt. The critical micelle concentration was approximately 5 mM. The Rosano and Kimura method was used to show that LB effectively emulsified benzene and soybean oil. The stability of cosmetic formulations containing LB was then examined. LB was compatible with standard cosmetic ingredients. Furthermore, LB permeated the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. LB and 1,2-hexanediol were equally effective preservatives.