Ficus Carica Extract  is a product of natural origin obtained from the fruits of the common fig plant, Ficus Carica L. belonging to the botanical family Moraceae.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• "Ficus Carica"  is the scientific name for the plant commonly known as fig.
• "Extract" indicates that the product is an extract obtained from the fruits and leaves of the plant Ficus Carica.

Description of raw materials used in production and their functions.

• Ficus Carica fruits and leaves. These are the main components from which the extract is derived. Figs contain various beneficial compounds, including vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
• Solvent (e.g., alcohol, water, or glycerin). Used to extract beneficial and active compounds from the fruit and leaves.

Step-by-step summary of industrial extraction process.

• Harvesting of fruits and leaves. Ripe Ficus Carica fruits are collected.
• Preparation. The fruits and leaves are cleaned and, if necessary, chopped or crushed.
• Extraction. The fruits and leaves are immersed in the chosen solvent for a set period, allowing the solvent to absorb compounds from the fruit.
• Filtration. The mixture is filtered to remove solid particles.
• Concentration. The solvent is either partially or completely evaporated, leaving a concentrated extract.

What it is for and where

Medical

Phytochemical analysis of Ficus carica revealed interesting components for human health such as phenolic compounds, phytosterols, organic acids, anthocyanin composition, triterpenoids, and coumarins (1) with antioxidant (2), antibacterial, and antifungal activity (3).

Cosmetics

It is a restricted ingredient as  II/436 a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported: Fig leaf absolute (Ficus carica L.), when used as a fragrance ingredient.  An Initial List of Perfumery Materials which must not form part of Fragrance Compounds used in Cosmetic Products. Should not be used as a fragrance ingredient. Based on the sensitizing and extreme phototoxic potential (Opdyke FCT 20,691(1982)).

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   68916-52-9

EC number   

Commercial Applications

Food and Beverage. Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, known as fig extract, is used in various food products like jams, ice creams, and baked goods for its sweet flavor and texture.

Cosmetics and Personal Care. Fig extract is utilized in various skin and hair care products for its moisturizing, exfoliating, and antioxidant properties.

Perfumery. Due to its sweet and fruity aroma, fig extract is employed in perfumes and fragranced products.

Medical Applications

Traditional Medicine. Traditionally, fig extract has been used for its soothing properties and as a natural remedy for various conditions, such as constipation.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Mawa S, Husain K, Jantan I. Ficus carica L. (Moraceae): Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses and Biological Activities. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:974256. doi: 10.1155/2013/974256. 

Abstract. This paper describes the botanical features of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae), its wide variety of chemical constituents, its use in traditional medicine as remedies for many health problems, and its biological activities. The plant has been used traditionally to treat various ailments such as gastric problems, inflammation, and cancer. Phytochemical studies on the leaves and fruits of the plant have shown that they are rich in phenolics, organic acids, and volatile compounds. However, there is little information on the phytochemicals present in the stem and root. Reports on the biological activities of the plant are mainly on its crude extracts which have been proven to possess many biological activities. Some of the most interesting therapeutic effects include anticancer, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antimicrobial activities. Thus, studies related to identification of the bioactive compounds and correlating them to their biological activities are very useful for further research to explore the potential of F. carica as a source of therapeutic agents.

(2) Çalişkan, O., & Polat, A. A. (2011). Phytochemical and antioxidant properties of selected fig (Ficus carica L.) accessions from the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Scientia Horticulturae, 128(4), 473-478.

Abstract. Fig has been a typical fruit component of the health-promoting Mediterranean diet for a very long time. Phytochemical characters and antioxidant capacity of green-, yellow-, brown-, purple-, and black-fruited fig (Ficus carica L.) accessions were investigated. In this study, total phenolics (TP), total anthocyanins (TA), fructose (FRUC), glucose (GLUC), sucrose (SUC), and variables (such as L*, a*, C*, and hue°) describing fruit skin colors were examined. Also, the antioxidant capacity (TAC) of fig fruits was determined by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Antioxidant capacity was significantly correlated with the polyphenol and anthocyanin (r = 0.74 and 0.63, respectively) contents of fruits. Black fig accessions had the highest TAC (range of 7.9–16.1, mean 12.4 Fe2+ mmol/kg FW), TA (range of 32.3–356.0, mean 128.4 μg cy-3-rutinoside/g FW), and TP content (range of 69.1–220.0, mean 118.9 mg GAE/100 g FW). These black-fruited accessions had 2-fold greater TAC, 15-fold greater TA, and 2.5-fold greater TP than green and yellow fig accessions. However, the FRUC, GLUC, and SUC content of brown and purple fig accessions were higher than those of other color groups. The predominant sugars present were fructose (∼56%) and glucose (∼43%), as determined by HPLC.

(3) Aref HL, Salah KB, Chaumont JP, Fekih A, Aouni M, Said K. In vitro antimicrobial activity of four Ficus carica latex fractions against resistant human pathogens (antimicrobial activity of Ficus carica latex). Pak J Pharm Sci. 2010 Jan;23(1):53-8. 

Abstract. Methanolic, hexanoïc, chloroformic and ethyl acetate extracts of Ficus carica latex were investigated for their in vitro antimicrobial proprieties against five bacteria species and seven strains of fungi. The green fruit latex was collected from Chott Mariam Souse, Middle East coast of Tunisia. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated and based respectively on the inhibition zone using the disc-diffusion assay, minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) for bacterial testing and the method by calculating inhibition percentage (I%) for fungi-inhibiting activities. The methanolic extract had no effect against bacteria except for Proteus mirabilis while the ethyl acetate extract had inhibition effect on the multiplication of five bacteria species (Enterococcus fecalis, Citobacter freundei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Echerchia coli and Proteus mirabilis). For the opportunist pathogenic yeasts, ethyl acetate and chlorophormic fractions showed a very strong inhibition (100%); methanolic fraction had a total inhibition against Candida albicans (100%) at a concentration of 500 microg/ml and a negative effect against Cryptococcus neoformans. Microsporum canis was strongly inhibited with methanolic extract (75%) and totally with ethyl acetate extract at a concentration of 750 microg/ml. Hexanoïc extract showed medium results.