title: Lubricant and Bactericidal Properties of Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids: Effect of Degree of Unsaturation.
abstract: Fatty acids containing a C18 alkyl chain such as stearic acid (C18:0 fatty acid), oleic acid (C18:1 fatty acid) and linoleic acid (C18:2 fatty acid) are common emulsifiers in skin-care products and cosmetics and are also used in skin cleansers. In this study, we prepared calcium salts (Ca salts) of the above fatty acids to determine the effect of the degree of unsaturation of the alkyl chain. Scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction patterns show that C18:0 and C18:1 fatty acid Ca salts are plate-shaped, lamellar-crystalline powder, while C18:2 fatty acid Ca salt is amorphous powder. Therefore, C18:2 fatty acid Ca salt exhibits a lower lubrication ability than do C18:0 and C18:1 fatty acid Ca salts. In addition, the bactericidal ability against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes improved with increasing degree of unsaturation. These findings suggest that Ca salts of unsaturated fatty acids have potential applications in cleansing and cosmetic products.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University.
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Tatsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kijima
authors.forename: Toshiya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morikawa
authors.forename: Yoshimune
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nonomura
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003358:Cosmetics; D003902:Detergents; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054327:Lubricants; D008153:Lubrication; D011208:Powders; D017592:Skin Care; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D003358:Cosmetics; D003902:Detergents; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D054327:Lubricants; D011208:Powders