Abstract

GAJARDO SOLARI, Sandra et al. Astaxanthin: natural antioxidants with various applications in cosmetics. BIOFARBO [online]. 2011, vol.19, n.2, pp. 6-12. ISSN 1813-5363.

Astaxanthin is one of the carotenoid pigments, that has important applications in the nutraceutical, cosmetics and food industry, it is extracted from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, the natural source of astaxanthin. Among the notable properties of astaxanthin, it is a great antioxidant, being 550 times more powerfull than vitamin E and 11 times than β-carotene. Among others activities it can protect the skin against the effects of UV rays, delaying and preventing the erythema and inflammation. The objective of this work was develop a cosmetic antioxidant line based on astaxanthin. This line included: a facial emulsion, a body emulsion and a lip balm that were evaluated on its stability: heat stress, pH, viscosity, centrifugation, the sign of emulsion. To complement these studies a patch test was performed to evaluate the potential irritation because of skin contact, and also the measurement of acceptability of these products through surveys and microbiological control. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity was evaluated by the DPPH method and also the sun protection factor by spectrophotometry. The result of the antioxidant capacity for both emulsions 0.01% of astaxanthin was 60% of free radical catching ability. With regard to sun protection factor, SPF was 6 for face emulsion and 4 for body emulsion, while for the lip balm was 10.

Keywords : Astaxanthin; antioxidant; SPF; cosmetic.