FSS Acai Sterols

*Beard Balm Formulation Available using Acai Sterols, Please request by clicking here

Acai Palms (Euterpe oleracea) are native to the tropical Central and South American climes and grow from Belize to the south of Brazil and Peru in floodplains and swamps. Named after a Portuguese beverage that is made from the palm’s fruit, Acai palms are capable of producing two crops of fruit per year. The small, deep purple fruit are similar in appearance to grapes, and they are considered to be rich in fatty acids such as oleic acid, palmitic acid and poly­unsaturated linoleic acid.

FSS Acai Sterols, are sterols that are derived from cold pressing the seeds for oil. The oil is then fractionated and the sterols are removed. Sterols are useful for increasing barrier formation on the skin while also improving hydration. The hydration potential of FSS Acai Sterols was determined using the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) water absorption capacity method. The process involves drip­ping water into a sample in a mortar and mixing well at room temperature, until the terminal point is reached. The terminal point is defined as the point at which water can no longer be mixed into the emulsion. The Water Holding Capacity (%) = ((Amount of water contained/Sample weight) x 100). The results indicate that FSS Acai Sterols is capable of holding more than double their weight in water, and may therefore be used to hold water on the surface of skin or hair.

To measure the barrier function of FSS Acai Sterols, a mixture containing 50% FSS Acai Sterols and 50% Mineral Oil 70 was applied to filter paper which was then placed on top of a measuring cup containing CaCl2 solution. The containers were then stored at 25°C with a relative humidity of 95%. After 24 hours the weight of the moisture that permeated through the filter paper was measured as increased weight. The coefficient of permeability was shown as a percentage by comparing the weight increase with the control sample that did not have any oils applied to the filter paper. There is a recip­rocal relationship between an increase in barrier function and the coefficient of permeability, and the lower the coefficient of permeability the higher the barrier function, and the low coefficient of perme­ability obtained for FSS Acai Sterols indicates that it may be useful for improving barrier formation.

Temperature Stability: Stable up to 80° Celsius

pH Stability – 4 to 7 pH

Solubility – Oil Soluble

Storage: Protected from direct light and humidity at a temperature of 50°-77°F (10°-25°C)
Shelf life: 12 months, properly stored, in sealed container.

This product should be added to a formulation at the recommended usage rate

References:

1) Lubrano C, Robin JR, Khaiat A (1994). “Fatty-acid, sterol and tocopherol composition of oil from the fruit mesocarp of 6 palm species in French-Gui

ana”. Oleagineux 49: 59–6.

2) Plotkin MJ, Balick MJ (Apr 1984). “Medicinal uses of South American palms”. J Ethnopharmacol 10 (2): 157–79

3) Schauss. AG, et. al. Phytochemical and nutrient composition of the freeze-dried amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae mart. (acai). J agric Food

Chem. 2006 Nov 1;54(22):8598-603.

4) Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior RL, Ou B, Patel D, Huang D, Kababick JP (2006). “Phytochemical and nutrient composition of the freeze-dried amazonian

palmberry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (acai)”. J Agric Food Chem 54 (22): 8598–603.References: