Camellia japonica flower extract

The name describes the structure of the molecule

"Camellia japonica flower extract" is an extract derived from the flowers of the Camellia japonica plant, often known as Japanese camellia. It doesn't describe a single molecular structure, but rather a complex mix of various molecules, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, saponins, and other bioactive compounds.

Description of raw materials used in production

The primary raw material for producing Camellia japonica flower extract are the flowers. These flowers are cultivated, harvested, and used for the production of the extract.

Extraction process

• Flower collection - Camellia japonica flowers are collected from the plant.
• Extraction - The flowers are then processed through an extraction process, which may include methods like infusion, decoction, maceration, or solvent extraction. This process extracts the bioactive compounds from the flowers.
• Purification - The extract is then purified through processes like filtration and distillation.
• Packaging and storage - The purified extract is packaged in suitable containers and stored away from light and moisture.

What it is for and where

Cosmetics

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

CAS   223748-13-8

Commercial applications

Skin care products: Camellia japonica extract is used in a variety of skin care products, including creams, lotions, and serums, due to its moisturizing and protective properties.

Hair products: Given its ability to moisturize and nourish, it can be used in shampoos and conditioners.

Anti-aging products: Due to its richness in antioxidants, it's used in anti-aging products to combat free radical damage to the skin.

Properties

Moisturizing: Helps to keep the skin hydrated, making it soft and smooth.

Antioxidant: Contains antioxidants that protect the skin from free radical damage.

Protective: Can help protect the skin from environmental damage, such as pollution and UV rays.

 Medical

Studies

Camellia species are considered in the scientific literature to be natural sources of antioxidant compounds and in particular with increased activity in flowers where a relevant presence of phenolic acids and flavonol glycosides has been noted (1).

As antibiotic resistance has become a worldwide problem, research tends to turn to natural sources, and many studies have evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Camellia japonica against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (2).

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Lee, H. H., Cho, J. Y., Moon, J. H., & Park, K. H. (2011). Isolation and identification of antioxidative phenolic acids and flavonoid glycosides from Camellia japonica flowers. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology, 52, 270-277.

Abstract. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) layer of the hot water extracts of Camellia japonica flowers was found to have higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity than the other solvent layers. Nine phenolic compounds were isolated and purified from the EtOAc layer by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and octadecyl silane-high performance liquid chromatography using a guided DPPH radical-scavenging assay. The isolated compounds were identified as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (1), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (3), 2,3-digalloyl-O-α-D-glucopyranoside (4), 2,3-digalloyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), quercetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (6), quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (8), and kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), based on mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Four compounds (6–9) had been previously identified in the leaves of this plant, but other compounds (1–5) were newly isolated from this plant. Their DPPH radical-scavenging activities based on the 50% scavenging concentration decreased in the following order: 4 = 5 (4.7 μM) > 1 (9.8 μM) > 6 = 7 (8.2 μM) > α-tocopherol (24.7 M) > ascorbic acid (25.1 μM) > 2 (35.6 M) > 3 = 8 = 9 (> 250 μM). Quercetin glycosides (6, 7), gallic acid (1) and its glucosides (4, 5) showed higher DPPH radical-scavenging activities than other compounds. These results indicate that the antioxidant effect of C. japonica flowers may be attributable to quercetin glycosides and gallic acid derivatives. These isolated compounds will be useful in basic studies of plant physiology, food manufacturing, and biological function of C. japonica flowers.

(2) Kim KY, Davidson PM, Chung HJ. Antibacterial activity in extracts of Camellia japonica L. petals and its application to a model food system. J Food Prot. 2001 Aug;64(8):1255-60. doi: 10.4315/0362-028x-64.8.1255. 

Abstract. The potential presence of naturally occurring antimicrobials in petals of Camellia japonica L., a member of the tea family, was investigated against foodborne pathogens in microbiological media and food. Petals of the camellia flower (C. japonica L.) were extracted with methanol and fractionated into basic, acidic, and neutral fractions. The acidic fraction (equivalent to 1.0 g of raw sample per disk) produced an inhibitory zone of 14 to 19 mm (diameter) in a disk assay against the pathogens Salmonella Typhimurium DT104, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus on agar plates. Silica gel adsorption column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and preparative purification by high-pressure liquid chromatography were used to purify compounds in the fraction. The mass spectrum of the antibacterial compound isolated had a molecular ion (M+) of m/z 116 and showed good conformity with the spectrum of fumaric acid (HOOC-CH=CH-COOH). An aqueous extract from the petals of C. japonica L. had an inhibitory effect on growth of all pathogens at 37 degrees C in microbiological media by increasing the lag phase. None of the microorganisms was inhibited completely. Milk was used as a model food system. Aqueous extract at a concentration of 100 mg/ml was bacteriostatic against all the foodborne pathogens in the milk stored at 25 degrees C for up to 4 days.