According to the 2021 edition of the "Catalogue of Cosmetics Raw Materials", there are nearly 9,000 types of cosmetics raw materials. These include single components derived from chemical synthesis or biological fermentation, as well as multi-component extracts from animals, plants, microorganisms, ferns, etc., with functions such as moisturizing, antioxidant whitening, and repair. Cosmetics raw materials are classified by components, including alcohols, esters, proteins, peptides, amino acids, amino acid analogues, polysaccharides, sugar derivatives, nucleic acids, and other functional components; according to molecular weight, they are divided into large-molecular-weight components (such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, polyglutamic acid, seaweed polysaccharides, etc.), medium-molecular-weight components (such as low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, collagen peptides, hexapeptides, palmitic acid tripeptides, etc.) and small-molecular-weight components (such as collagen tripeptides, myopeptides, boswellic acid, ergothioneine, icodin, arginine, methionine, etc.).
The quality control indicators for cosmetic raw materials include, but are not limited to, the content of main components, purity, microbial contamination, and inorganic salt residues. Cosmetics with biological sources have the characteristics of diverse sources and high product quality requirements. Therefore, their production processes and quality control are more dependent on modern separation and purification methods. And membrane filtration methods, with their outstanding features and significant advantages, have become a mandatory option for the production processes of many cosmetic raw materials.
Membrane filtration methods include microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, etc. The forms of membrane elements include inorganic tubular ceramic membranes, organic hollow membranes, organic spiral membranes, and organic plate membranes, etc. The industrialized membrane filtration system adopts the cross-flow filtration system, which can realize the production functions such as clarification, classification, decolorization, desalination and concentration of cosmetic raw materials.
The membrane filtration system has many advantages in processing cosmetic raw materials:
Carried out at room temperature, with mild conditions and without component degradation, it is particularly suitable for heat-sensitive substances.
2. Pure physical filtration, without phase change or chemical reaction, without damaging the active ingredients;
3. High filtration accuracy, uniform pore size distribution, enabling the purification and concentration of active components;
4. The system is simple to operate, has a short process, is easy to clean and maintain.
5. The liquid after membrane treatment is clear and stable in nature, which is conducive to the subsequent processing steps.
6. The system operates in counter-flow mode, without the need for any additives. It does not introduce any new impurities, thus completely resolving the problems of pollution and blockage.
7. The system is designed in a modular manner, making it convenient to replace membrane elements. Online cleaning and drainage devices are also incorporated in the design to reduce labor intensity and production costs, thereby enhancing production efficiency.
8. Made of stainless steel sanitary material, in compliance with QS quality standards;
9. The system is automatically controlled by PLC. The labor intensity is very low. The membrane filtration process takes place in a sealed container, achieving clean production.
10. The membrane filtration element has a large filling area, resulting in a small system footprint. This makes it convenient for technological improvements, expansion or new projects, effectively reducing investment costs and production costs.
