Preparation and Performance Test of Gexianmi (Nostoc sphaeroides kützing) Moisturizing Lotion

Xiao TANG Yangyun GAO Chenlong REN Ling ZHAO Luxia SONG Dongchen NA

Abstract Gexianmi moisturizing lotion was prepared from Gexianmi extract, carbomer, EDTANa2, citric acid, glycerin, butanediol, ceramide, cetearyl alcohol, hydrogenated polydecene, shea butter, etc., and skin moisture contents of different treatments were measured. The data were analyzed by variance analysis and multiple comparisons. The results showed that: Gexianmi moisturizing lotion had a better moisturizing effect, which was better than that of anthocyanin moisturizing lotion. Therefore, Gexianmi moisturizing lotion can be used to effectively maintain the moisture of the human skin stratum corneum.

Key words Nostoc sphaeroides kützing; Moisturizing lotion; Water content of skin

Received: July 23, 109Accepted: September 30, 2019

Xiao TANG (1999-), female, P. R. China, bachelor, major: bioscience.

*Corresponding author. Email: 007ndc007@163.com.

Nostoc sphaeroides kützing, commonly known as "Tianxianmi", belongs to Nostocaceae of Cyanophyceae［1］. Studies have shown that N. sphaeroides is rich in proteins, amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, polysaccharides and other nutritional components and elements that are good for human health. It can meet the normal metabolic needs of the skin and is rich in antioxidants, and is predicted to have a good skinmoisturizing effect［2］. However, N. sphaeroides has not yet been applied to the skin care industry. In this study, the skinmoisturizing function of N. sphaeroides was explored, which lays a foundation for the application in the beauty, skin care and cosmetics industries［3］.

Materials and Reagents

Materials and Reagents

N. sphaeroides (online shopping); carbomer; EDTANa2; citric acid; glycerin; butanediol; ceramide; cetearyl alcohol; hydrogenated polydecene; shea butter; hyaluronic acid; distilled water.

Instruments and equipment

Microwave oven; induction cooker; digital skin tester; micropipette; water bath; electronic analytical balance.

Experimental Methods

Composition

The composition of the Gexianmi moisturizing lotion is shown in Table 1.

Experiment steps

Preparation of N. sphaeroides extract

A certain amount of N. sphaeroides (5 g) was weighed and soaked for 15 min in anhydrous ethanol, and then the anhydrous ethanol was discarded. The former soaking was repeated twice. An appropriate amount of distilled water was added to the material at a materialtoliquid ratio of 1∶90. The mixture was subjected to microwave heating for 30 min, with stirring from time to time. The heated material was filtered, obtaining the filtrate.

Production of moisturizing lotion

A certain amount of carbomer (0.3 g) was weighed in a beaker, into which an appropriate amount of distilled water was then added. The beaker was heated with microwave to completely dissolved carbomer with constant stirring. Then, 0.01 g of EDTANa2, 0.02 g of citric acid and 1.00 ml of ceramide were accurately added to the above beaker, and stirred to allow dissolution. Further, 2.00 g of shea butter was taken, heated to a molten state in a water bath at 70 ℃, and added with 12.00 ml of hydrogenated polydecene, 2.50 ml of glycerin and butanediol. Next, 2.00 g of cetearyl alcohol (emulsifier) was added in another beaker and heated to a molten state. The oil phase was added into the aqueous phase, followed by stirring at a high speed, and when both of them were light white, the cetearyl alcohol (emulsifier) was poured into the liquid quickly, followed by stirring at a high speed again, until the liquid is milky white. Finally, the liquid was adjusted with NaOH to a pH of 5.0-6.0.

Testing of moisturizing effect

The test subjects were 37 healthy students (major: bioscience) from Shanxi Normal University, who had no history of skin diseases and allergies. Before the test, the subjects cleaned their arms and wiped off the water, and the test area was divided into three areas for following treatments: anthocyanin moisturizing lotion, Gexianmi moisturizing lotion and blank control. The skin moisture of each subject was tested at 30 min and 1 h, respectively. Each treatment was done in triplicate.

Results and Analysis

Skin moisture test results

The test results at 30 min and 1 h are shown in Table 2.

Analysis of variance

The results of variance analysis are shown in Table 3.

It can be seen from Table 3 that the F values at 30 min and 1 h were 5 203.00 and 4 193.50, respectively, which were greater than the value of F0.01 of 10.93, indicating that the differences in skin moisture content between various treatments were extremely significant at 30 min and 1 h.

Multiple comparisons

The results of multiple comparisons are shown in Table 4 and Table 5 below.

It can be seen from Table 4 and Table 5 that the differences in skin moisture content between the blank and Gexianmi moisturizing milk and between the blank and anthocyanin were 13.36 and 11.38, respectively, which were greater than the value of LSR0.01 (0.63) at 30 min; and the difference in skin moisture content between anthocyanin and Gexianmi moisturizing lotion was 1.98, which was greater than the value of LSR0.01 (0.52). It indicated that the differences in skin moisture content between the blank and Gexianmi moisturizing lotion, the blank and anthocyanin, and Gexianmi moisturizing lotion and anthocyanin were all extremely significant at 30 min.

At 1 h, the differences in skin moisture content between the blank and Gexianmi moisturizing lotion and between the blank and anthocyanin were 10.07 and 7.82, respectively, which were greater than the value of LSR0.01 (0.52); and the difference between anthocyanin and Gexianmi moisturizing lotion in skin moisture content was 2.25, which was greater than the value of LSR0.01 (0.43). It indicated that at 1 h, the differences in skin moisture content between the blank and Gexianmi moisturizing lotion, the blank and anthocyanin, and Gexianmi moisturizing lotion and anthocyanin were extremely significant.

Through testing and analysis, it can be seen that the Gexianmi moisturizing lotion had the best moisturizing effect and can be used to effectively maintain the moisture of the skins stratum corneum.

Conclusions

The homemade Gexianmi moisturizing lotion was tested and had a good moisturizing effect. The moisturizing effect was better than anthocyanin moisturizing lotion, and Gexianmi moisturizing lotion can better maintain the moisture of the human skin stratum corneum. Meanwhile, it can better reflect the development and utilization of natural plants in the field of skin care. In future experiments, we will focus on the research and development of natural plants in the field of moisturizing skin, to bring consumers a better user experience［4］.

References

［1］ Jiangsu New Medical College. Great dictionary of Chinese materia medica［M］. Shanghai:Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 1990: 2331. (in Chinese)

［2］ LIU JL. Studies on nutrition component in Nostoc commune［J］. Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs, 2000, 31(11): 862-863. (in Chinese)

［3］ WEI FF, WANG WJ, HE QH, et al. Research progress on active compounds and functions of species of the Nostoc sphaeroides kützing ［J］. Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences, 2018, 46(33): 8-11. (in Chinese)

［4］ LI CZ, GAO HJ, CONG L. Application of natural plant moisturizer in skin care［J］. Detergent & Cosmetics, 2014, 37(7): 24-26. (in Chinese)