Levulinic acid (CAS 123-76-2) is an organic acid derived from the degradation of sugars, particularly glucose or fructose, under the effect of heat or acid treatment. It is widely used in cosmetic formulations for its stabilizing, preservative, humectant and antimicrobial properties, as well as in certain sugar-based food products or technical ingredients.
In the cosmetics sector, levulinic acid is notably present in organic or natural products as a gentle alternative to traditional preservatives. It is also found in hair care products, moisturizing lotions, dermatological creams, and cleaning solutions. In the food industry, its presence can be of natural origin (thermal degradation) or linked to technological additions.
Why measure levulinic acid?
The dosage of levulinic acid allows:
- Control the actual concentration in a cosmetic or food formulation
- Check compliance with claims (natural, no synthetic preservatives, minimal dosage, etc.)
- Assess the stability of products subjected to heat treatments (e.g. sterilization, pasteurization)
- Ensure antimicrobial efficacy when used as a preservative
- Comply with regulatory requirements or internal specifications
Available analysis methods
YesWeLab offers different 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-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 physical chemistry applied to cosmetics, plants or nutritional formulations.
Affected matrices
The dosage of levulinic acid applies to a wide range of products:
- Hair care (shampoos, conditioners, serums)
- Moisturizing and toning lotions
- Dermatological care products
- Food preparations based on heated fruit, sugar or flavorings
- Technical formulations based on sugar or cellulose
- Stabilized plant extracts
Each matrix requires appropriate preparation to ensure a reliable and reproducible result.
Related analyses available in the YesWeLab catalog
In addition to the levulinic acid dosage, YesWeLab offers you essential related analyses for the characterization of cosmetic, food or plant products:
- Control of heavy metals in formulations
→ Verification of the conformity 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.
Your specialized 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 validation of results according to your regulatory or R&D objectives.
Need an accurate levulinic acid dosage?
Request a quote online or contact our team today.
