Sclerotium gum is a product resulting from the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. (Athelia rolfsii), belonging to the Atheliaceae family, main source for the production of scleroglucan.

It is used as a thickening and gelling agent in various cosmetic and personal care products.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Sclerotium gum consists primarily of:

• Polysaccharides: Complex carbohydrates that form the gum's gel-like structure.
• Glucose: The main sugar unit in the polysaccharide chain.

Physical Properties

Sclerotium gum generally has the following characteristics:

Appearance: A white to off-white powder or gel, depending on its formulation.

Solubility: Soluble in water, forming a viscous gel.

Stability: It is stable under a range of pH levels and temperatures, making it suitable for various cosmetic formulations.

Production Process

The production process for Sclerotium gum involves:

• Fermentation: Cultivating Sclerotium rolfsii under controlled conditions to produce the gum.
• Extraction: Isolating the gum from the fermentation broth.
• Purification: Removing any impurities and by-products.
• Drying: Converting the purified gum into a powder form or gel.
• Formulation: Incorporating the gum into cosmetic products.
• Quality Control: Ensuring the gum meets safety, efficacy, and quality standards.

Applications

Cosmetic: Used in a variety of personal care products, including lotions, creams, and gels, as a thickening and stabilizing agent. It helps improve the texture and consistency of the product.

Pharmaceutical: Occasionally used in some pharmaceutical formulations as a thickening agent or stabilizer.

Food Industry: Sometimes used as a thickening agent in food products

Cosmetics - INCI Functions

• Emulsion stabilizer. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable. Emulsion stabilisers improve the formation and stability of single and double emulsions. It should be noted that in the structure-function relationship, molar mass plays an important role.
• Skin conditioning agent - Miscellaneous. This ingredient has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing its flakiness and restoring its elasticity.
• Viscosity Enhancing Agent - aqueous. Since viscosity is important for increasing the chemical and physical stability of the product, Viscosity Enhancing Agent acqueous is an important dosage factor in gels, suspensions, emulsions, solutions. Increasing viscosity makes formulations less sedimentary and more homogeneously thickened.

CAS: 39464-87-4

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Sclerotium gum is considered safe for use in cosmetics and food when used according to regulatory guidelines. The production process aims to be environmentally friendly, and the final product is tested to ensure it meets safety and efficacy standards.