Study of preservative systems for cosmetics

The aim of this diploma thesis was to prove the antimicrobial actvivity of the selected syntetic preservatives used in cosmetics, such as methylparaben, butylparaben, phenoxyethanol, bronopol, imidazolidinyl urea and methylisothaizolinone, in different concentrations (up to the highest permitted concentration and in increased concentrations), and of some essential oils, which are possible to use in cosmetics (essential oil from Eucalyptus globulus, Pimpinella anisum, Lavandula officinalis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha piperita, Juniperus communis and Pinus sylvestris). The effect was investigated in every preservative system alone, in order to evaluate the spectrum and the rate of each one. As indicator microorganism was chosen Bacillus subtilis and Penicillium chrysogenum. The used methods was disk difusion method and modify difusion method. From synthetic preservatives had the best effects bronopol, imidazolidinyl urea and methylisothiazolinone. From chosen natural antimicrobails had the effect against both indicator microorganisms the Mentha piperita, Foeniculum vulgare and Juniperus communis extracts