Lecithins & Phospholipids

We are experts in extracting and purifying lecithins and phospholipids, and in tailoring them for precise requirements in personal care applications. All of Cargill’s lecithins are derived from carefully selected soy and egg origins. Through our unique access to the lecithin raw material sources we have more options to develop unique solutions for our customers. Lecithins and phospholipids are extracted from natural sources.

Our expertise in lecithins and phospholipids has been acquired over the years via a wide range of processes, technologies and industries which has resulted in our ability to develop specialized products optimized for unique applications for specific customers.

With state-of-the-art production facilities in Germany, Netherlands and the USA we are able to ensure a fast and flexible response to our customers' requirements around the world.

Cargill’s lecithins meet the specifications of USP/NF, when tested accordingly.

Brand names

Topcithin™ range – fluid lecithin

Emulfluid™ E – fluid hydrolyzed lecithin

Epikuron™ 135 F – fluid phosphatidyl choline enriched lecithin

Ovothin™ 120 – egg yolk extract

Epikuron™ 100 P – deoiled lecithin

Emultop™ – deoiled hydrolyzed lecithin

Epikuron™ 100 H – hydrogenated lecithin

Epikuron™ 200 SH – hydrogenated phosphatidyl choline enriched lecithin

Epikuron™ 145 V / Epikuron™ 170 / Epikuron™ 200 / Ovothin™ 160 – deoiled phosphatidyl choline enriched lecithin

Applications

Lecithins can be used in virtually all the different product categories within personal care as they are highly versatile and have a number of different properties.

  • Skin care - creams and lotions. Lecithins and phospholipids fractions are well tolerated by the skin as either no emulsifiers or less emulsifiers are needed
  • Hair care - Lecithins and phospholipids give a pleasant, non-greasy feel and marvelous surface gloss
  • Bath and body care - soaps. Lecithins and phospholipids reverse the drying effect of soap and the damaging effect of aggressive surfactants on the skin
  • Color cosmetics - Lecithins provide an even dispersion of pigments and delay re-crystallization of fat in the formulations

Functionalities

  • Emulsifier
  • Dispersant
  • Moisturizing
  • Skin feel
  • Binding
  • Emollient
  • Refatting agent
  • Film forming
  • Restructuring
  • Hydrating
  • Soothing
  • Wetting agent
  • Adhesion improver
  • Stabilizer
  • Fat crystallization inhibitor
  • Hair gloss
  • Thickening agent
  • Liposome-former
  • Encapsulation

Phospholipids possess the fascinating capability to form, spontaneously, cell-like liposomes used to encapsulate and help to carry active ingredients directly to the skin cells.

Chemistry

Phospholipids are the active constituents of lecithins. The basic structure of phospholipids is shown below with the differentiation between polar and non-polar molecular regions, the classical structure of surface-active substances.

Phospholipids differ substantially in type of polar head group (see figure 2) as well as the length and saturation level of the fatty acid chains linked to the C1- and C2- positions.

MAIN PHOSPHOLIPIDS

With different phospholipids showing individual functionalities, it is evident that through distinct control/modification of the phospholipid pattern, a wide variety of products can be derived.


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