How is olive squalane made? An amazing source from plants and animals

How is olive squalane made? An amazing source from plants and animals

Olive Squalane (Olive Squalane) is an ingredient widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics, skin care products and perfumes, known for its excellent moisturizing and antioxidant properties. Many people know little about the origin and manufacturing process of olive squalane. This article will explore in detail how olive squalane is made and the amazing sources it comes from in plants and animals.

What is olive squalane?

Olive squalane is a high-purity hydrocarbon compound extracted from olive oil and belongs to squalane (Squalane). Squalane is a triolefin found in many animals and plants, which is colorless, odorless and non-irritating. It is widely used in cosmetics in moisturizers, serum and hair care products because it blends naturally with the skin barrier to provide long-lasting moisturizing effects.

Olive Squalane Source: Olive Oil

the main source of olive squalane is olive oil. Olive oil is rich in squalane, especially virgin olive oil. The process of extracting olive oil usually includes the following steps:

1. pressing of olives: The olives are pressed to extract the oil from them. Virgin olive oil is extracted by mechanical pressing rather than chemical solvents, thus retaining more nutrients and squalane.
2. Refining of oil: The extracted olive oil needs to go through a refining process to remove impurities and unnecessary components, while improving the purity of squalane.
3. Separation of squalane: High-purity squalane can be separated from olive oil by techniques such as distillation or molecular distillation.

The extraction process of olive squalane is relatively simple, but each step needs to be strictly controlled to ensure the quality and purity of the product. The amount of squalane in olive oil varies by olive variety and geographic location, but is usually between 1 and 3%.

Other plant sources of olive squalane

in addition to olive oil, squalane is also found in other plants, such as wheat germ oil and rice oil. These plant-derived squalane can also be obtained by similar extraction and refining techniques. Olive squalane is favored for its high purity and natural origin.

Synthesis of Olive Squalane

in addition to being extracted from plants, squalane can also be prepared by chemical synthesis. Synthetic squalane is usually obtained by extracting squalene (Squalene) from shark liver oil, and then converting it to squalane through hydrogenation and oxidation reactions. This approach, although less costly, has been met with ethical and sustainability questions in recent years because it involves the capture and use of sharks.

Comparison of natural and synthetic sources

olive squalane from natural sources is widely used in high-end cosmetics and skin care products due to its purity and natural properties. In contrast, although the cost of synthetic squalane is lower, it may contain impurities, and the production process may have a certain impact on the environment. As consumer demand for natural and sustainable products increases, olive squalane from natural sources is gradually becoming the mainstream choice in the market.

Future trends: sustainable olive squalane

in recent years, scientists have been studying how to extract squalane from other plants to reduce dependence on olive oil. For example, the technology of extracting squalane from wheat germ oil and rice oil is gradually maturing. Advances in biotechnology have also provided new possibilities for the production of squalane, for example by genetic engineering in microorganisms.

Conclusion

olive squalane is a natural moisturizing ingredient from plants. Although its extraction and manufacturing process is complicated, it is highly respected for its excellent performance and natural source. The market demand for Olive Squalane will continue to grow as consumers focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly products. Whether extracted from olive oil or obtained from other plant sources, olive squalane will continue to play an important role in the cosmetics and skincare industry.

By understanding the source and manufacturing process of olive squalane, we can better understand its application value in modern life and provide more possibilities for future sustainable development.