Aminat® G is a green preservative and antimicrobial active. Derived from natural building blocks—L-arginine (an amino acid) and Lauric acid (from plant oils) it is specifically designed as a “food-grade” surfactant technology for the cosmetic and personal care industry, offering a mild yet potent alternative to traditional synthetic preservatives.
Key Benefits
- Broad-Spectrum Protection: Highly effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and molds.
- Unique Mode of Action: Acts via membrane disruption, increasing cell permeability to trigger the loss of cell viability without inducing microbial resistance.
- Conditioning Properties: Due to its cationic nature, it provides a substantive “softening” effect on both skin and hair, improving manageability and skin feel.
- Green Substitute: Frequently used as a sustainable alternative to Zinc Pyrithione in anti-dandruff applications or Triclosan in deodorants.
- High Safety Profile: Rapidly metabolized in the human body into arginine and lauric acid; non-toxic and environmentally friendly (biodegradable).
Handling & Formulation Guidelines
Because Aminat G is cationic, it requires specific formulation strategies to maintain stability and efficacy.
Compatibility & Stability
- The “Anionic” Challenge: Its cationic nature means it can react with anionic (negatively charged) ingredients, potentially causing precipitation or loss of activity.
- Avoid/Minimize: Anionic surfactants (e.g., Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), Xanthan Gum, Carbomers, or anionic active ingredients.
- Formulation Hack: To minimize interference, add Aminat G at the final stage of production (post-emulsification/cooling) after other anionic components have been stabilized.
Regulatory Compliance (EU Annex V)
To ensure compliance with the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, it is essential to distinguish between the use of Aminat G as a preservative and its use as an active ingredient for specific functions. Because Aminat G is a solution containing Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl, the dosage of the finished product must be calculated based on this active concentration.
Use as a Preservative
When utilized primarily for its preservative properties, the maximum concentration of the active substance (Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl) is limited to 0.4%. In practice, this allows for the inclusion of up to 2% Aminat G in the total weight of the final cosmetic formula. This usage level is permitted in the majority of cosmetic products, with three specific exclusions:
- It may not be used in lip products.
- It is prohibited in oral products, with the sole exception of mouthwashes.
- It is not permitted in sprayable products.
In the case of mouthwashes, the regulatory limit is stricter. The active substance must not exceed 0.15%, which equates to a maximum of 0.75% Aminat G. Additionally, products containing this ingredient must not be marketed for or used by children under the age of 10.
Use as an Active Ingredient
For formulations where Aminat G serves a purpose other than preservation—specifically in soaps, anti-dandruff shampoos, and non-spray deodorants—the regulatory allowance for the active substance increases to 0.8%. This higher threshold allows formulators to use up to 4% Aminat G to leverage its antimicrobial and conditioning benefits as a functional “active” rather than just a preservative system.
