| abstract |
Materials with high levels of unsaponifiable matter, such as extracts from plants, result in Hydrolysates with unique properties. It has been found that the application of a hydrolysis process to materials, particularly materials with a high level of unsaponifiables (e.g., at least 6% by total weight of the material) produces a product with properties significantly different from those products resulting from the conventional saponification of materials with less than 6% by weight of unsaponifiables. The resulting Hydrolysates from the practice of the present invention are substantive, resisting both physical and aqueous-based removal from skin and hair, exhibit a very unique surfactant property, and are not foaming agents with water. Addition of extra alkali metal hydroxides to these Hydrolysates according to the present invention may thus be used to neutralized acidic gelling agents and thereby providing a gel with enhanced the performance for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. |