Hyaluronic Acid Data Set
Description
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a macromolecule found in the extracellular matrix of animal tissue with a high affinity for water. Hyaluronic acid's ability to readily absorb water and form large gels has made it a subject of interest among the cosmetic industry. Hyaluronic acid's increasing popularity in the cosmetic industry is largely in part due to claims that it can hydrate the skin by absorbing 1000 times its weight in water. The claim that hyaluronic acid can hold 1000 times its weight in water is not supported in the scientific literature, nor are there any studies that examine hyaluronic acid's ability to absorb only water or examine non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid. This study examines non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid of low and high molecular weight's ability to form a saturated gel in water. It was determined that hyaluronic acid of high molecular weight was able to absorb 30 times its weight in water and hyaluronic acid of low molecular weight was able to absorb 20 times its weight in water.
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Steps to reproduce
The gel point and gel saturation points were determined by measuring the flow distance of the hyaluronic acid gels. Flow distance for each gel, hyaluronic acid HMW and hyaluronic acid LMW was measured using a GLTL Standard Consistometer (ASTM F1080/Mill Spec R-81294D). Hyaluronic acid gels were added to the consistometer’s reservoir, and the flow rate was measured after 30 seconds.