Effect of pH on Bactericidal Activities of Calcium Laurate

Abstract

Fatty acid calcium salt is a high melting point powder excellent in lubricity and water repellency and is often used as a cosmetic raw material. We have shown that several calcium salts of fatty acids have high selective bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes and low bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. In this study, we evaluated the influence of pH on the bactericidal behavior of calcium laurate, and showed that under acidic conditions it shows higher bactericidal activity against both bacteria but selectivity becomes lower. This finding is useful for designing skin cleansers and makeup cosmetics containing lauric acid.