Study of biosurfactant extract from corn steep water as a potential ingredient in antiacne formulations

Abstract

Background

This is a novel work that includes the use of a biosurfactant extract obtained from corn milling industry (named BS-CSW), with antimicrobial activity, as ingredient in formulations to treat acne vulgaris.

Methodology

With this purpose, it was established an incomplete experimental design with 3 independent variables, based on the concentration of non-nano zinc oxide (ZnO) (0–2%), BS-CSW (0–5%) and salicylic acid (0–2%).

Results

This design allowed to obtain a theoretical model that calculates the inhibitory effect on Cutibacterium acnes (also named Propionibacterium acnes) for any formulation carried with the ingredients appointed before. It was observed a clear synergetic effect on the inhibition of C. acnes between ZnO and BS-CSW, in absence of salicylic acid. This fact allowed to reduce the concentration of ZnO, giving more ecofriendly and biocompatible formulations.

Conclusions

It was observed that the biosurfactant extract, in formulations with intermediate concentration of ZnO (1%), possess an inhibitory effect on C. acnes considerably higher than ZnO alone and similar to ZnO (1%) with salicylic acid (1%). This fact demonstrates the enormous potential of this bioactive extract in antiacne formulations.

Keywords:

• Biosurfactant from corn steep water
• acne vulgaris
• Cutibacterium acnes
• antimicrobial activity
• antiacne formulations

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) under the project CTM2015-68904 (FEDER funds) X. Vecino is also grateful for her Juan de la Cierva contract [IJCI-2016-27445]. L. Rodríguez-López also acknowledges to the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport for her pre- doctoral fellowship [FPU15/00205].