Quality assessment of chromatophores isolated from squid skin as natural pigment in formulation of lipstick

Abstract

Lipsticks are made to appeal to the current fashion trend and come in a wide range of colors. Lipstick is the only cosmetic ingested, and because of this strict controls on ingredients, as well as the manufacturing processes, are imposed. As long as cosmetics remain in fashion, the market for lipstick will continue to be strong, adding markets in other countries as well as diversifying currently identified markets. But the pigments used in lipsticks can cause health hazards like infertility, anemia and cancer, as well as learning disabilities, mental retardation and behavioral problems, nausea, attention deficit, headaches, skin irritation, etc. The FDA has laid strict regulations regarding the use of lead as a lipstick ingredient. In the present study the chromatophores from squid skins were isolated, and used as natural pigment in lipsticks. Five shades (SQ1, SQ2, SQ3, SQ4 and SQ5) were developed using this pigment and they were screened for consumer acceptance applying hedonic scale method (0 to 9). Comparison with the instrumental reading was also done for the sensory scores. The newly formulated lipstick (SQ2) was subjected to physical, chemical and microbiological quality evaluation. The product was compared with the commercially available lipstick brand and the new product was found to have superior properties compared to the latter (p<0.01). It was also found that the new product met with the national quality standards laid down for such category of products. The new product gives a way to utilize squid skin, which is not otherwise useful.