Sudipta Roy,
- Assistant Professor Bengal College of Pharmaceutical Technology, Dubrajpur, West Bengal India
Abstract
The quest for natural and sustainable alternatives in cosmetic products has intensified, driving the search for effective natural preservatives. Menthol, derived from mint plants, is being recognized for its cooling properties and potential as a paraben-free preservative. This study investigates menthol’s efficacy as a preservative in herbal cosmetics, addressing consumer concerns about synthetic preservatives while ensuring product safety and longevity. This research examines menthol’s antimicrobial effects on common cosmetic contaminants such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Various microbiological assays were conducted to assess and compare menthol’s inhibitory effects against these microorganisms with those of traditional paraben-based preservatives. Additionally, the study evaluated the physical and chemical stability of herbal cosmetic formulations, including creams, lotions, and balms, over a six-month period under controlled conditions. The findings reveal that menthol exhibits significant antimicrobial activity, effectively inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi at concentrations suitable for cosmetic use. Moreover, formulations containing menthol demonstrated stability and preservation comparable to those using conventional preservatives, without affecting the sensory qualities or therapeutic benefits of the herbal ingredients. In conclusion, menthol emerges as a promising natural preservative for herbal cosmetics, offering a paraben-free solution that aligns with consumer preferences for safer, more natural products. Future research should aim to optimize menthol concentrations and explore its synergistic effects with other natural preservatives to enhance efficacy and broaden its application in the cosmetic industry.
Keywords: Menthol, Natural Preservative, Stability study, Herbal cosmetics
References
- Kerdudo A, Burger P, Merck F, Dingas A, Rolland Y, Michel T, Fernandez X. Development of a natural ingredient–Natural preservative: A case study. Comptes Rendus. Chimie. 2016;19(9):1077-89.
- Mei J, Ma X, Xie J. Review on natural preservatives for extending fish shelf life. Foods. 2019 Oct 13;8(10):490.
- Olatunde OO, Benjakul S. Natural preservatives for extending the shelf‐life of seafood: A revisit. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 2018 Nov;17(6):1595-612.
- da Silva BD, Bernardes PC, Pinheiro PF, Fantuzzi E, Roberto CD. Chemical composition, extraction sources and action mechanisms of essential oils: Natural preservative and limitations of use in meat products. Meat Science. 2021 Jun 1;176:108463.
- Hugo CJ, Hugo A. Current trends in natural preservatives for fresh sausage products. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 2015 Sep 1;45(1):12-23.
- Park ER, Lee SK, Hwang HS, Mun CS, Gwak IS, Kim OH, Lee KH. Monitoring of natural preservative levels in food products. Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition. 2008;37(12):1640-6.
- Halla N, Fernandes IP, Heleno SA, Costa P, Boucherit-Otmani Z, Boucherit K, Rodrigues AE, Ferreira IC, Barreiro MF. Cosmetics preservation: a review on present strategies. Molecules. 2018 Jun 28;23(7):1571.
- Anand SP, Sati N. Artificial preservatives and their harmful effects: looking toward nature for safer alternatives. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Res. 2013 Jul 1;4(7):2496-501.
- Herman A, Herman AP, Domagalska BW, Młynarczyk A. Essential oils and herbal extracts as antimicrobial agents in cosmetic emulsion. Indian journal of microbiology. 2013 Jun;53:232-7. storage.
- Fathi F, Ebrahimi SN, Salehi P, Safari A, Shahsavari Z, Hadian J, Matos LC, Alves RC, Oliveira MB. Antimicrobial multi-component lipid-based nanoemulsion of Eucalyptus globulus and Mentha piperita as natural preservative. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology. 2023 Jun 23;44(8):1423-32.
- Kamatou GP, Vermaak I, Viljoen AM, Lawrence BM. Menthol: a simple monoterpene with remarkable biological properties. Phytochemistry. 2013 Dec 1;96:15-25.
- Piran P, Kafil HS, Ghanbarzadeh S, Safdari R, Hamishehkar H. Formulation of menthol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers to enhance its antimicrobial activity for food preservation. Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin. 2017 Jun;7(2):261.
- Shaikh S, Yaacob HB, Rahim ZH. Prospective role in treatment of major illnesses and potential benefits as a safe insecticide and natural food preservative of mint (Mentha spp.): a Review. Asian J Biomed Pharm Sci. 2014 Aug 1;4:1-2.
- Schmitt E, Norris K. Natural Alternatives for Cosmetic Preservation.
- Trombetta D, Castelli F, Sarpietro MG, Venuti V, Cristani M, Daniele C, Saija A, Mazzanti G, Bisignano G. Mechanisms of antibacterial action of three monoterpenes. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy. 2005 Jun;49(6):2474-8.
- Al-Wandawy AH, Zwain LA, Omer SA. Antibacterial and antibiofilm effect of menthol and thymol on vaginal bacteria. Biochemical & Cellular Archives. 2020 Oct 2;20.
- Karicheri R, Antony B. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of peppermint (Mentha piperita Linn) and menthol mint (Mentha arvensis Linn) essential oils on Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans isolated from orodental infections. Eur. J. Pharm. Med. Res. 2016 Jul;3:577-81.
- Batool I, Nisar S, Hamrouni L, Jilani MI. Extraction, production and analysis techniques for menthol: A review. Int. J. Chem. Biochem. Sci. 2018;14:71-6.
- Diniz do Nascimento L, Barbosa de Moraes AA, Santana da Costa K, Pereira Galúcio JM, Taube PS, Leal Costa CM, Neves Cruz J, de Aguiar Andrade EH, Guerreiro de Faria LJ. Bioactive natural compounds and antioxidant activity of essential oils from spice plants: New findings and potential applications. Biomolecules. 2020 Jul 1;10(7):988.
- Mikaili P, Mojaverrostami S, Moloudizargari M, Aghajanshakeri S. Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Mentha Longifolia L. and its main constituent, menthol. Ancient science of life. 2013 Oct 1;33(2):131-8.
- Silva LF, das Graças Cardoso M, Batista LR, de Souza Gomes M, Rodrigues LM, Rezende DA, Teixeira ML, Carvalho MS, de Andrade Santiago J, Nelson DL. Chemical characterization, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oils of Mentha viridis L. and Mentha pulegium L.(L). American Journal of Plant Sciences. 2015 Mar 11;6(05):666.
- da Silva Ramos R, Rodrigues AB, Farias AL, Simões RC, Pinheiro MT, Ferreira RM, Costa Barbosa LM, Picanço Souto RN, Fernandes JB, Santos LD, de Almeida SS. Chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and larvicidal activities of the essential oil of Mentha piperita L.(Lamiaceae). The Scientific World Journal. 2017 Jan 1;2017.
Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmacognosy
Volume | |
Received | May 30, 2024 |
Accepted | August 3, 2024 |
Published | August 13, 2024 |