Sclerotium Gum

The Basics On Sclerotium Gum

What is Sclerotium Gum?

A plant-derived, gel-like polysaccharide (sugar-based) ingredient that’s used in cosmetics to thicken and stabilize formulas.

What are other names for Sclerotium Gum?

GUM, SCLEROTIUM, SCLEROGLUCAN, SCLEROGUM, and SCLEROTIUM GUM

What is Sclerotium Gum used for?

Benefit: it is a very versatile ingredient that improves the texture of cosmetic products. It is used as a thickening agent and has a gel texture. It also acts as a natural moisturizer and works to soften skin.

How Sclerotium Gum is classified

Thickeners/Emulsifiers

Recommendations for using Sclerotium Gum during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Sclerotium Gum During Pregnancy

What we know about using Sclerotium Gum while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

Oral Xanthan Gum A three-generation reproductive toxicity study was performed in which albino rats were fed dietary levels of 0, 0.25, and 0.5 g/kg bw/day xanthan gum.61 Ten males and 20 females were used for the first generation, and 20 males and 20 females were used in the next two generations. Rats were mated to produce two litters per generation, and the successive generations were selected from weanlings of the second litter. Survival and reproductive parameters were similar for treated and control parental rats. Body weights of treated parental rats were slightly decreased compared to controls in each generation. There were no significant differences in developmental parameters between test and control litters, and no malformations were observed in any of the offspring. Gellan Gum Groups of 25 gravid female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet containing 0, 2.5, 3.8, or 5.0% gellan gum (varied degree of acetylation; 58.5% polysaccharide) on days 6-15 of gestation.39 No fetotoxic or teratogenic effects were reported. (No other details were provided.) Beta-Glucan A developmental study was performed with 0, 5, or 15% beta-glucan (as curdlan) with a control group of 40 male and 80 female CD rats and test groups of 20 male and 40 female rats.42 The animals, which were mated twice, were fed the test diet throughout the study. Twenty of the treated dams nursed their own litters; the other 20 treated dams switched litters with the control dams so that treated animals would nurse control pups and control animals would nurse test pups. The F1a offspring were killed prior to the second mating. No changes in mortality, behavior, or appearance were observed. Male sires of the 15% beta-glucan group had decreased growth rates compared to controls, and males and females of the 15% group had decreased feed consumption. At birth, there were no differences in fertility or lactation among the groups, and no abnormalities were reported. However, survival of the F1a, but not the F1b, pups of the 5% group was statistically significantly decreased compared to controls. Weight gain of all F1a litters of treated dams that nursed their own pups was statistically significantly decreased compared to controls; for the F1b litters, the difference was statistically significant only in the 15% group. Statistically significant decreases in weight gain were also observed for pups of treated dams that were nursed by control dams, but the effect was reduced. Statistically significant decreased weight gain at some intervals was also observed for control pups nursed by treated dams. A no-observable effect level (NOEL) was not established. The researchers also examined whether there would be decreased weight gain by the pups if dosing was discontinued during lactation. The protocol was similar to that just described, except that all groups consisted of 20 male and 40 female CD rats, and there was no cross-over at lactation. Weight gain by all pups during lactations was similar, although the researchers did state that the pups could have consumed parental diet from day 10+. The NOEL for parental toxicity and embryotoxicity was 15% beta-glucan. A three-generation reproductive study was performed in which groups of 20 male and 40 female CD rats were fed a diet containing 0, 1, 5, or 15% beta-glucan (as curdlan) for 100 days.42 The F0 parents were mated twice, and the number of parents was halved after weaning of the first litter. The F1 parents were mated three times and the F2 parents were mated twice. The F1b and F2b litters were used to produce the next generation. After the third mating of the F1 parents, half of the F1 dams were killed on day 13 of gestation, and the remaining dams were killed on day 20 of gestation. Mean growth and feed consumption were slightly decreased in male parental rats of the F0 and F1 generations of the 15% group. No gross or microscopic changes were observed in F2 parents. No treatment-related effects on reproductive and developmental parameters were observed, but body weights of pups in almost all litters in all generations were statistically significantly decreased during lactation in the 15% group. Biologically-significant differences in body weights were not seen in litters of the other dose groups. No gross or microscopic lesions were observed in the F3b pups of the 15% group. In the F1 parents killed after the third mating, no reproductive or developmental effects were observed. Mean fetal weights in all groups were statistically significantly decreased compared to controls; however there was no dose-response. The NOEL for parental animals was 5%, based on decreased growth and increased cecal weights at 15% beta-glucan, and the NOEL for embryotoxicity was also 5%, based on decreased weight gain during lactation in the 15% beta-glucan group. The teratogenic potential of beta-glucan (as curdlan) was determined using groups of 15-20 gravid Dutch belted rabbits.42 The rabbits were dosed orally with 0, 1, 2, or 5 g/kg bw/day beta-glucan in a gelatin capsule delivered using a syringe. The 5 g/kg dose was administered as two divided doses, and the controls received two empty capsules. The rabbits were killed on day 28 of gestation. None of the controls died, but one, one, and three dams of the 1, 2, and 5 g/kg bw/day groups, respectively, died during the study. Eleven resorptions were observed in the high dose group, as compared to four in the control group, six in the 1 g/kg group, and five in the 2 g/kg group. The researchers stated, however, that the number of dams with resorptions was similar in all groups, and that no teratogenic effects were observed. The NOEL for both maternal and embryotoxicity was 5 g/kg bw/day.

General safety info about Sclerotium Gum from CIR

The CIR Expert Panel assessed the safety of 34 microbial polysaccharide gums for use in cosmetics, finding that these ingredients are safe in cosmetic formulations in the present practices of use and concentration. The microbial polysaccharide gums named in this report have a variety of reported functions in cosmetics, including emulsion stabilizer, film former, binder, viscosity increasing agent, and skin conditioning agent. The Panel reviewed available animal and clinical data in making its determination of safety.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Sclerotium Gum

Supersmile Professional Whitening Gum (12 piece); PerioSciences AO ProVantage (1 fl. oz.); PerioSciences Antioxidant Oral Care System Sensitive (3 piece); SEPHORA COLLECTION Peppermint Gum Mask – Toning; Urban Decay Eyeshadow; SEPHORA COLLECTION Ultra Shine Lip Gloss