Catechins are a type of flavonoid known for their beneficial functions as antioxidants and antibacterials. Recent research indicates the antioxidant potential of catechins on the skin. Catechin and epigallocatechin are reported to have significant potential in preventing ageing. Epigallocatechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin can inhibit hyperpigmentation processes. Additionally, catechins exhibit potential in UV protection and inflammation inhibition in acne. Consequently, catechins are now being used in the cosmetics industry, with formulations containing catechins as the active ingredient developed to produce various products such as soap, sunscreen, creams, etc. Herein, this paper reviews the antioxidant potential of catechins for use in cosmetic formulations and the current status of clinical trials of catechins in cosmetics.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun significantly damages the skin, leading to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and oxidative stress that disrupts skin homeostasis. UV radiation increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), accelerating skin deterioration. Although sunscreens remain the primary method for UV protection, chemical-based formulations are often associated with side effects, such as allergic reactions and acne. To address these concerns, the inclusion of natural ingredients in sunscreen formulations has gained attention. Curcumin, an active compound found in turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Java turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review explores the potential of curcumin as a natural ingredient for enhancing the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of sunscreen products. A systematic literature review was conducted, analyzing 200 articles sourced from Google Scholar and PubMed using keywords such as “Curcumin”, “Curcuma”, “Antioxidant”, “Anti-Inflammatory”, and “Sun Protection Factor”. Studies unrelated to UV protection were excluded. The findings, presented in tabular form, indicate that curcumin and Curcuma exhibit significant potential to enhance SPF values due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and UV-absorbing properties. Additionally, curcumin may aid in skin repair following UV-induced damage. However, the specific concentration of curcumin in various Curcuma species remains unknown, and further research is necessary to determine its optimal use. Consideration of additional excipients in sunscreen formulations is also required to maximize efficacy. In conclusion, curcumin demonstrates considerable promise as a sustainable and effective natural ingredient for protecting the skin from UV radiation, offering a safer alternative to conventional chemical-based sunscreens.

Gelatin merupakan produk penguraian protein hewani yang memiliki banyak fungsi di bidang pangan dan farmasetika. Sebagian besar produksi gelatin bersumber dari hewan, seperti babi ataupun sapi yang masih diragukan kehalalannya, baik itu yang mutlak diharamkan atau teknik penyembelihan hewan yang tidak sesuai kaidah Islam. Penggunaan gelatin sapi dan babi sebagai bahan pembuatan cangkang kapsul masih menjadi keresahan masyarakat Muslim dan Hindu. Hasil perikanan Indonesia memiliki potensi besar sebagai bahan baku gelatin dalam pembuatan cangkang kapsul halal. Metode yang digunakan dalam artikel review ini adalah dengan meninjau literature diperoleh 32 jurnal nasional dan internasional diperoleh dari Science Direct, Research Gate dan Google Scholar sumber data dipublikasi paling lambat 10 tahun terakhir. Dari beberapa hasil penelitian terkait, dilakukan perbandingan antara parameter fisikokimia gelatin pada tulang ikan patin, ikan tuna, ikan nila, serta standar gelatin yang ditetapkan oleh GMIA dan SNI. Parameter yang dibandingkan meliputi pH, kadar air, kadar abu, kadar protein, kekuatan gel, dan viskositas. Gelatin tulang ikan berpotensi sebagai bahan dalam formulasi cangkang kapsul ditinjaukan dari sifat fisikokimianya. Gelatin tulang ikan patin memenuhi persyaratan standar gelatin GMIA dan SNI berdasarkan pH, kadar air, kadar abu, dan viskositas, kecuali kekuatan gel dan kadar protein yang tidak memenuhi persyaratan. Sedangkan, gelatin tulang ikan tuna dan nila memenuhi seluruh parameter fisikokimia gelatin GMIA dan SNI. Dengan demikian, gelatin tulang ikan tuna dan nila berpotensi untuk dijadikan bahan dalam pembuatan cangkang kapsul untuk sediaan farmasi.

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) is the largest biomass waste from the palm oil industry. The OPEFB has a lignocellulose content of 34.77% cellulose, 22.55% hemicellulose, and 10.58% lignin. Therefore, this material’s hemicellulose and cellulose content have a high potential for xylitol and ethanol production, respectively. This study investigated the integrated microaerobic xylitol production by Debaryomyces hansenii and anaerobic ethanol semi simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (semi-SSF) by Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the same OPEFB material. A maximum xylitol concentration of 2.86 g/L was obtained with a yield of 0.297 g/g_xylose. After 96 h of anaerobic fermentation, the maximum ethanol concentration was 6.48 g/L, corresponding to 71.38% of the theoretical ethanol yield. Significant morphological changes occurred in the OPEFB after hydrolysis and xylitol and ethanol fermentation were shown from SEM analysis.

Free radicals can cause damage to the structure of the dermis layer, which makes skin lose its elasticity and leads to the formation of wrinkles. A strategy to prevent this problem is by using antioxidants. A plant that has been reported to contain good antioxidant activity is sacha inchi seed (Plukenetia volubilis L.); apart from that, its oil has quite a high omega-3 content and potentially can act as an anti-aging agent stimulating the skin-cell-regeneration process, maintaining skin moisture and elasticity and stimulating collagen production. This research aims to analyze the physicochemical characteristics and determine the fatty acid profile, the levels of vitamins A, D, and E, and the antioxidant activity of sacha inchi seed oil. This research was conducted through eight main stages: sacha inchi seed extraction, quality parameters checking, phytochemical screening, determining fatty acid profiles, vitamin analysis, antioxidant activity tests, microbiological contamination tests, and heavy-metal contamination tests. In this study, quality inspection results were obtained: organoleptic form (liquid), color (yellow), odor (typical), relative density value (0.91 g/cm³), acid number (0.38 ± 0.02 mg/g), peroxide value (11.01 mEq/Kg), iodine value (179.32 g/100 g), and refractive index (1.479). The phytochemical screening results of sacha inchi seed oil were positive for containing flavonoids, triterpenoids, and steroids. The results of the fatty acid profile were omega-3 (48.5%), omega-6 (34.8%), and omega-9 (7.7%). The results of the vitamin contents analysis were vitamin A (123.42 mg/100 g), vitamin D (899.46 mg/100 g), and vitamin E (145.06 mg/100 g). The antioxidant activity test showed an IC₅₀ value of 8.859 ppm (very strong), and the microbial and heavy-metal contamination tests were negative.

The present study was conducted to compare the characteristics of a thin film containing an astaxanthin-loaded nanoemulsion (TFANE) using two kinds of natural polymers, namely sodium alginate and gelatin. An astaxanthin nanoemulsion was prepared by using the self-nanoemulsifying method, followed by incorporation into a polymer matrix system by the solvent casting method to form TFANE. A characteristic comparison between the sodium alginate and gelatin matrix systems was carried out by comparing the physical and mechanical film properties. At the end of the study, in vitro dissolution tests were also assessed. An intraoral film with good physical and mechanical properties containing an astaxanthin-loaded nanoemulsion was developed successfully using a natural polymer matrix system. The film, made from a gelatin matrix system containing an astaxanthin nanoemulsion, was more flexible and harder than films made from a sodium alginate matrix system, where all of the films have ideal characteristics for intraoral delivery. The dissolution test results showed that, with both sodium alginate and gelatin, more than 90% of the drug was released at 15 minutes. Gelatin as a natural polymer appears to be promising for the preparation of an intraoral thin film delivery system.