Propanediol (1,3 propanediol)

Propanediol (1,3 Propanediol) is a natural substitute for petroleum-based glycols that are used in formulations in personal care, cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical industries, and many more. One of the commonly used petroleum-based glycols in cosmetics and personal care products is propylene glycol also known as 1,2, propanediol. Propanediol 1,3 is a natural substitute for propylene glycol and is much gentler on the skin comparatively. Both propylene glycol and 1,3 propanediol share the same molecular formula but differ in the position of the hydroxyl group position which gives different physical and chemical properties to both the compounds.1,2,3

1,3 propanediol is derived either from plant sources or microbial sources and is biodegradable making it an environmentally friendly ingredient compared to petroleum-based glycols. 2,3 In personal care and cosmetic products, it not acts as a viscosity modifier but also enhances the sensorial experience of the formulation. It functions as an emollient a humectant for short-term and long-term moisturization effects. 4,5, It acts as a preservative booster in the formulations due to its antimicrobial effect. Because of its chemical structure, it has the ability to bind to hydrogen as well as donate hydrogen atoms resulting in forming a bond with the surrounding water molecules. 6 This ability gives the chemical an attribute of a humectant and the ability to act as a preservative booster in the formulas aiding in the inhibition of the growth of the microbes. 6,7 CIR has conducted as after analysis and concluded that it is safe tone used in personal and cosmetic products.4

References:

  1. Genetically Engineered Strains: Application and Advances for1,3-Propanediol Production from Glycerol. Food Technol Biotechnol. 2018 Mar;56(1):3-15
  2. Advances in biotechnological production of 1,3-propanediol. Biochem Eng J. 2012;64:106–18. 10.
  3. Biodegradable composition comprising a regeneration-based biodegradable 1,3-propanediol. JP6243999B2JP6.
  4. Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Propylene Glycol and Polypropylene Glycols. Journal of the American College of Toxicology 13(6):437-491.
  5. Evaluating 1,3-Propanediol for Potential Skin Effects | Cosmetics & Toiletries (cosmeticsandtoiletries.com).Corpus ID: 30972781 Semantic scholar.
  6. 1,3-Propanediol binds inside the water-conducting pore of aquaporin 4: Does this efficacious inhibitor have sufficient potency? J Syst Integr Neurosci. 2016 ; 2(1): 91–98.
  7. 1,3-propanediol binds deep inside the channel to inhibit water permeation through aquaporins. Protein Science 2016 Vol:433—441.