Bulk Alpha-Arbutin Powder CAS 84380-01-8 | High Purity Cosmetic Ingredient
Product Introduction of Alpha-Arbutin
Chemical Properties and Analytical Parameters
For technical formulators and quality assurance managers, maintaining precise stereospecific integrity and low impurity thresholds is essential.
Chemical Name: 4-Hydroxyphenyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside
CAS Number: 84380-01-8
Molecular Formula: C12H16O7
Molecular Weight: 272.25 g/mol
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder
Assay (Purity): >= 99.0% (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography – HPLC)
Specific Optical Rotation: +175.0 degrees to +185.0 degrees
Melting Point: 203°C – 207°C
Loss on Drying: <= 0.5%
pH Value (1% aqueous solution): 5.0 – 7.0
Residual Free Hydroquinone: <= 10 ppm (HPLC-UV)
Solubility: Freely soluble in water, warm alcohol, and propylene glycol; sparingly soluble in ethanol.
Product Packaging
Application of Alpha-Arbutin
High Enzymatic Stability & Efficacy: Unlike synthetic mixtures, enzymatically synthesized Alpha-Arbutin possesses an alpha-glucosidic bond that demonstrates significantly higher resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis by skin microflora compared to beta-glucosidic linkages.
Reversible Tyrosinase Inhibition: Alpha-Arbutin moderates the conversion of L-tyrosine to L-DOPA by competing for active binding sites on the tyrosinase enzyme, delivering a uniform skin-brightening effect and evening out hyperpigmentation patterns.
Broad Formulation Compatibility: It integrates smoothly into aqueous phases, serums, lotions, gels, and emulsion systems. It functions synergistically alongside secondary cosmetic ingredients such as Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, and stable Vitamin C derivatives.
Related Questions:
Q1: What is the difference between Alpha-Arbutin and Beta-Arbutin?
Q2: Why is controlling residual hydroquinone critical in Alpha-Arbutin raw materials?
Hydroquinone is heavily restricted or banned in cosmetics in many jurisdictions due to safety concerns. Strict raw material quality control ensures that residual hydroquinone remains below 10 ppm, preventing unwanted degradation in finished creams or serums.
Q3: Can Alpha-Arbutin be formulated together with AHA or BHA acids?
Q4: What documentation is provided with commercial orders?
All shipments are accompanied by a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) detailing HPLC assay purity, optical rotation, heavy metal analysis, microbial counts, residual hydroquinone levels, and an updated Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Quality Control & Analytical Verification
Every production lot of Alpha-Arbutin undergoes multi-stage laboratory testing prior to global dispatch:
Stereospecific Verification: Specific optical rotation testing and HPLC chiral verification to ensure complete absence of unwanted isomers.
Hydroquinone Impurity Quantification: Strict trace analysis via HPLC-UV to guarantee residual hydroquinone remains well within international safety limits (<= 10 ppm).
Heavy Metal & Bioburden Analysis: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and total viable count testing to satisfy global cosmetic safety standards (EU SCCS, US FDA VCRP).
To prevent premature degradation or color shift in finished cosmetic batches, formulators should follow these technical handling procedures:
pH Sensitivity: Maintain final product pH between 3.5 and 6.5. Avoid strongly alkaline conditions (pH > 7.0) or strong acids, which can hydrolyze the glycosidic linkage and liberate free hydroquinone.
Thermal Control: Add Alpha-Arbutin during the cool-down phase of emulsion preparation at temperatures below 40°C. Extended exposure to temperatures above 60°C should be avoided.
Chelating & Antioxidant Protection: Incorporating a small amount of a chelating agent (such as Disodium EDTA) and a water-soluble antioxidant (such as Sodium Metabisulfite) helps maintain long-term color clarity and prevents oxidation.
Standard Packaging: Packed in double-layer food/cosmetic grade PE inner bags sealed inside aluminum foil barrier bags, housed in 1 kg tins, 5 kg foil bags, or 25 kg fiber drums.
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly sealed original containers in a cool, dry, dark place protected from direct sunlight, moisture, and elevated temperatures.
Shelf Life: 24 months from the date of manufacture when stored in original unopened packaging under recommended conditions.
Manufacturer of Alpha-Arbutin
- Packaging Architecture: Distributed in amber glass vials (10mg, 50mg, 100mg) for reference standards, or high-density aluminum foil vacuum bags (1kg to 10kg) lined with protective inert gas padding for pilot-scale manufacturing.
- Environmental Longevity: Hirsutine is naturally sensitive to prolonged light exposure and ambient thermal spikes. It must be stored in a ultra-low humidity freezer at or below -20°C for long-term molecular integrity.
- Global Customs Clearance Kit: Shipments are routed through compliant cold-chain transport networks, complete with customized Customs declarations, full COA, safety data briefs (SDS), and botanical origin validation certifications.
API, usually referring to chemical raw materials, is the active ingredient in chemical drug formulations.
Alpha-Arbutin Safety Information
| WGK Germany | 3 |
| HS Code | 2938.90.0000 |
| Storage Class | 11 – Combustible Solids |
OrganicIntermediate is a professional foreign trade enterprise specializing in chemical raw materials. Upholding people-oriented values and cooperating with reliable manufacturers, we aim to become the world’s most trusted chemical supplier. Our production plant is located 50 meters south of the intersection of North Ring Road and 13th Road, Chenwang Street, Juancheng County, Heze City, Shandong Province. Our R&D laboratory is situated at R&D Base : F5, Yinfeng Biomedical City, Free Trade Zone, Jinan, Shandong. Integrating R&D and production, we strictly control product quality. With stable supply and sincere service, we welcome global customers for consultation and procurement.
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This article was written by William, the chief chemist of Shandong Zhishang New Materials Co., Ltd.
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