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Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is a mild, non-ionic surfactant derived from natural raw materials such as glucose (from corn or other plants) and fatty alcohols derived from coconut or palm oil.
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is commonly used in cosmetic and personal care formulations like shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and baby care products due to its gentle cleansing and foaming properties.
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is biodegradable, gentle on skin and eyes, and compatible with other surfactants, making it a popular choice for mild and natural formulations.
CAS Number:
68515-73-1
Synonyms:
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside,Capryl/Capryl Glucoside,Octyl/Decyl Glucoside (sometimes used interchangeably but slightly different chemical species),Alkyl Polyglucoside (APG) – a broader class that includes caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Glucopyranoside, C8-10 alkyl derivatives,Caprylyl/Capryl Glucopyranoside
Abstract
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is a biodegradable, mild non-ionic surfactant belonging to the class of alkyl polyglucosides (APGs).
Derived from renewable raw materials such as glucose and fatty alcohols from coconut or palm oil, it has become a key ingredient in cosmetic and personal care formulations due to its excellent surfactant properties, low irritation potential, and environmental compatibility.
This review covers its chemical characteristics, synthesis routes, physicochemical properties, formulation applications, toxicological profile, environmental impact, analytical methods, and future prospects.
The article aims to provide a thorough understanding for researchers and formulators to optimize the use of Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside in modern, sustainable products.
Introduction
Surfactants, compounds that lower surface tension between two liquids or a liquid and a solid, are ubiquitous in industrial and consumer products ranging from detergents and cleaners to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
They possess a dual nature with hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) groups, enabling them to form micelles, emulsify oils, and cleanse surfaces effectively.
Among the surfactants, alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) are an important subclass of non-ionic surfactants that have gained popularity for their renewable origin, biodegradability, and skin-friendly properties.
APGs are typically synthesized by condensing glucose with fatty alcohols derived from natural sources like coconut or palm kernel oil.
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is a specific APG composed of glucose units linked to medium-chain (C8-C10) fatty alcohols.
This structure provides a balanced hydrophilic-lipophilic profile, making it particularly useful for mild cleansing applications, including facial cleansers, shampoos, body washes, and baby care products. Its unique features—such as mildness to skin and eyes, effective foaming, and compatibility with other surfactants—make it a preferred ingredient for formulating gentle and sustainable personal care products.
This article aims to present a comprehensive scientific overview of Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside by discussing its chemical nature, production methods, physicochemical properties, applications, safety evaluations, environmental behavior, analytical characterization, and future trends.
Such knowledge supports ongoing efforts to innovate and optimize sustainable surfactant formulations in the cosmetic industry and beyond.
Chemical Structure and Properties
Molecular Formula and Weight
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is classified chemically as an alkyl polyglucoside surfactant with the general molecular formula:
C8-10H17-21O(Glucose)n, where the alkyl chain length ranges from 8 to 10 carbon atoms, primarily octyl (C8) and capryl (C10) chains, attached to a glucose moiety.
The exact molecular weight varies depending on the degree of polymerization (number of glucose units linked, typically 1 to 3) and the precise fatty alcohol composition.
The typical molecular weight ranges from approximately 300 to 400 g/mol for monoglucoside forms.
Structural Features
The molecule consists of a hydrophilic sugar head group (D-glucose) connected through a glycosidic bond to a hydrophobic alkyl chain derived from caprylic (C8) or capric (C10) fatty alcohols.
The glycosidic linkage confers biodegradability and biocompatibility, while the alkyl chain provides the necessary hydrophobicity to reduce surface tension.
The number of glucose units influences the hydrophilicity; most commercial products contain mono- and diglucosides to balance mildness and surfactant efficiency.
Physical Appearance and Properties
Appearance: Typically a clear to pale yellow, viscous liquid or paste.
Solubility: Soluble in water, forming clear solutions at typical formulation concentrations (1–20%).
Melting Point: Usually low due to liquid nature, solidifies under refrigeration.
Boiling Point: High, decomposes before boiling in pure form.
Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB): Generally in the range 12–14, indicating a hydrophilic surfactant suitable for oil-in-water emulsions and cleansing products.
Comparison to Other Surfactants
Unlike anionic surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is non-ionic, reducing skin irritation and increasing compatibility with various ingredients.
Compared to other APGs with longer alkyl chains (e.g., lauryl glucoside, C12), caprylyl/capryl glucoside offers milder cleansing with good foaming.
The glucose head group distinguishes it from synthetic surfactants, offering better biodegradability and safety.
Synthesis and Production
Raw Materials
The synthesis of Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside primarily involves two renewable raw materials:
Glucose: Typically sourced from hydrolyzed starch derived from corn, wheat, or potatoes. The glucose serves as the hydrophilic head group of the surfactant molecule.
Fatty Alcohols: Derived mainly from coconut or palm kernel oil, containing medium-chain fatty alcohols such as caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) alcohols. These provide the hydrophobic tail.
Synthesis Pathways
The production of Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside generally follows a chemical or enzymatic glycosylation process:
Chemical Synthesis:
This involves the reaction of glucose with fatty alcohols in the presence of an acid catalyst (often strong mineral acids or solid acid catalysts) under controlled temperature and vacuum conditions. The process promotes the formation of glycosidic bonds, linking the sugar unit to the alkyl chain.
Reaction conditions typically range from 90°C to 130°C, under reduced pressure to remove water byproduct and shift equilibrium toward product formation.
Enzymatic Synthesis:
Some manufacturers use enzymatic catalysis, employing glycosyltransferases to promote bond formation under milder conditions, offering better control over polymerization degree and fewer side products.
However, enzymatic processes are less common at industrial scale due to cost and scalability constraints.
Industrial Manufacturing Process
The raw glucose and fatty alcohols are pre-treated for purity and moisture content.
The mixture is reacted in batch or continuous reactors, where catalysts are added to facilitate glycosidic bond formation.
Reaction monitoring includes measuring water content, reaction temperature, and time to optimize yield.
After reaction completion, the crude product undergoes neutralization to remove residual acid catalyst.
Purification steps such as filtration, distillation, or solvent extraction are employed to remove unreacted materials and impurities.
Final product is concentrated and adjusted to desired active matter content, often between 40-70% solids in aqueous solution form.
Quality Control Parameters
Active Matter Content: Typically analyzed by titration or gravimetric methods.
pH: Should be near neutral (pH 6-8) for compatibility in cosmetic formulations.
Viscosity: Measured to ensure batch-to-batch consistency.
Foaming and Surface Tension: Assessed to verify functional performance.
Residual Glucose and Fatty Alcohol: Low residual unreacted components indicate high reaction efficiency.
Microbial Contamination: Controlled to meet cosmetic industry standards.
Physicochemical Characteristics
Surface Tension and Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC)
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside effectively reduces the surface tension of water, a fundamental property enabling its cleansing and emulsification function.
Typical surface tension values for aqueous solutions of Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside range from about 30 to 35 mN/m at concentrations near or above the CMC.
The CMC represents the concentration at which surfactant molecules spontaneously form micelles in solution.
For Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, CMC values generally fall in the range of 0.01 to 0.05 wt%, depending on temperature and purity, indicating strong surface activity at low concentrations.
Foaming Ability and Foam Stability
Foaming is a desirable characteristic in many cleansing products. Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside generates a rich, creamy foam with good stability.
It often is combined with other surfactants (e.g., anionic or amphoteric types) to optimize foam volume and longevity.
Foam stability is influenced by factors such as pH, ionic strength, and presence of co-surfactants or conditioning agents.
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside maintains foam stability over a wide pH range (4-9), supporting its use in diverse formulations.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT CAPRYLYL CAPRYL GLUCOSIDE
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
