Levulinic acid (CAS 123-76-2) is an organic acid produced by the breakdown of sugars, particularly glucose or fructose, through heat or acid treatment. It is widely used in cosmetic formulations for its stabilizing, preservative, humectant, and antimicrobial properties, as well as in certain food products and technical sugar-based ingredients.
In the cosmetics industry, levulinic acid is notably present in organic or natural products as a gentle alternative to conventional preservatives. It is also found in hair care products, moisturizing lotions, dermatological creams, and cleansing solutions. In the food industry, its presence can be of natural origin (thermal degradation) or linked to technological processing.
Why measure levulinic acid?
The measurement of levulinic acid allows us to:
- Control the actual concentration in a cosmetic or food formulation
- Verify compliance with the claims (natural, no synthetic preservatives, minimal dosage, etc.)
- Evaluate the stability of products subjected to heat treatments (e.g., sterilization, pasteurization)
- To guarantee antimicrobial efficacy when used as a preservative
- Comply with regulatory requirements or internal specifications
Available analytical methods
YesWeLab offers various analytical techniques for the determination of levulinic acid, depending on the matrix and the required sensitivity:
- HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography): reference method for aqueous cosmetic matrices or food extracts.
- GC-MS (Gas Chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry): suitable for volatile or complex matrices, with sensitive detection.
- UV or IR spectroscopy (in some cases, for rapid estimation in simple formulations).
The analyses are carried out in specialized laboratories, selected by YesWeLab for their expertise in physico-chemistry applied to cosmetics, plants or nutritional formulations.
Matrices involved
The dosage of levulinic acid applies to a wide range of products:
- Hair care products (shampoos, conditioners, serums)
- Moisturizing and toning lotions
- Dermatological skincare products
- Food preparations based on heated fruit, sugar or flavorings
- Technical formulations based on sugar or cellulose
- Stabilized plant extracts
Each matrix requires a specific preparation to guarantee a reliable and reproducible result.
Related analyses are available in the YesWeLab catalog
In addition to levulinic acid analysis, YesWeLab offers related analyses essential for the characterization of cosmetic, food or plant products:
- Heavy metal control in formulations
→ Verification of the compliance of natural ingredients with regulatory thresholds (lead, arsenic, etc.). - Microbiological analysis ( challenge test , total flora, pathogens)
→ To guarantee the microbiological safety of cosmetics containing or not levulinic acid as a preservative agent.
Your specialist analytical partner
YesWeLab provides you with a network of accredited laboratories (ISO 17025, COFRAC, etc.) to meet all your analytical requirements. Thanks to our intuitive digital platform, you can centralize your requests, track your analyses in real time, and easily access your reports.
Our scientific team is available to advise you on the choice of methods, sample preparation conditions or the validation of results according to your regulatory or R&D objectives.
Need a precise dosage of levulinic acid?
Request a quote online or contact our team today.
