Did you know that the same ingredient that moisturizes the skin in a cosmetic also protects proteins during industrial drying processes?
We are talking about ectoine, an ingredient of microbial origin found in two very different worlds:
· Cosmetics: a barrier and moisturizing ingredient in skin care formulations, within the framework of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
· Biotechnology industry: a protein stabilizer in spray-drying processes, where it protects proteins from the thermal stress of the process.
Biochemistry classifies it as a compatible solute, meaning a molecule able to protect biological structures from stress without interfering with their function.
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Frequently asked questions
What is ectoine and what is it used for?
We are talking about ectoine, an ingredient of microbial origin found in two very different worlds: · Cosmetics: a barrier and moisturizing ingredient in skin care formulations, within the framework of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. · Biotechnology industry: a protein stabilizer in spray-drying processes, where it protects proteins from the thermal stress of the process.
Why is ectoine called a compatible solute?
Biochemistry classifies it as a compatible solute, meaning a molecule able to protect biological structures from stress without interfering with their function.
Sources
- Ma, Z. et al. (2022) — «Bioactivity profiling of the extremolyte ectoine as a promising protectant and its heterologous production», 3 Biotech 12(12):331
- EUR-Lex — Reglamento (CE) 1223/2009, uso cosmético
- ACS Molecular Pharmaceutics (2020) — estabilización de proteínas frente al estrés térmico en secado por atomización, DOI 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00395
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