SL
CAS 148409-20-5
Purity≥90.0%
Biosurfactant material for mild personal-care formulations
For B2B ingredient sourcing, request the specification, batch COA, sample, packaging and lead-time confirmation. Explore personal-care ingredients.
Confirm lactonic/open-ring profile and microbial controls.
Key Specifications
| Product Positioning | Biosurfactant material for mild personal-care formulations |
| Application Scenarios | mild cleanser prototypes · biosurfactant formulation research · emulsion screening |
| CAS Number | 148409-20-5 |
| Purity | ≥90.0% |
| Molecular Formula | Mixture |
| Molecular Weight | ~600–700 g/mol |
| Appearance | Off-white to light yellow viscous liquid or powder |
| Solubility | Dispersible in water |
| Storage | Room temperature, dry |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
Procurement & delivery
Supply details confirmed by intended use, volume and target market
Sophorolipid (SL, CAS 148409-20-5) is a glycolipid-type biosurfactant belonging to the sophorose-based glucolipid family, produced naturally by non-pathogenic yeasts such as Starmerella bombicola (formerly Candida bombicola). Structurally it consists of the disaccharide sophorose linked glycosidically to a long-chain hydroxy fatty acid, occurring as a mixture of acidic (open-chain) and lactonic (cyclic, diacetylated) congeners; this CAS number is specifically assigned to the lactonic diacetate form, while commercial-grade material is typically an acidic/lactonic mixture averaging roughly 600-700 g/mol. Industrially, sophorolipid is manufactured entirely by fermentation: the yeast is cultured on a hydrophilic sugar source together with a vegetable oil or fatty acid co-substrate, after which the broth is separated, extracted, and purified into the finished biosurfactant used in cosmetics, personal care, and food-related applications.
High, Verified Purity
Each batch is controlled to ≥90.0% purity by HPLC, giving formulators a consistent, well-characterized biosurfactant across production runs.
Controlled Fermentation Process
Produced by a standardized yeast fermentation process with defined sugar and vegetable oil feedstocks, ensuring reproducible congener composition batch after batch.
Flexible Physical Form
Supplied as an off-white to light yellow viscous liquid or powder, dispersible in water, allowing easy incorporation into a range of finished-product formats.
Rigorous Contaminant Screening
Every batch is screened for heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, As) and microbial limits, supporting compliance needs for cosmetic and personal-care applications.
Flexible Bulk & OEM Supply
Available in flexible bulk quantities with OEM/private-label support, from small trial lots to full commercial-scale orders.
Test items, specifications and batch results are shown here; request the formal COA through the card below.
Batch No.
PGSL-260121
Test date
2026-01-22
Specification
In-house
Pack size
See COA
Storage
Room temperature, dry
Conclusion
Conforms
| Test Item | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Off-white to light yellow viscous liquid or powder | Conforms |
| Odor | Characteristic, no off-odor | Conforms |
| Purity (HPLC) | ≥90.0% | 91.8% |
| Acidic/Lactonic Congener Ratio | Report result | Approx. 50:50 |
| pH (1% aqueous dispersion) | 4.0-7.0 | 5.6 |
| Loss on Drying (Moisture) | ≤10.0% | 6.5% |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤10 mg/kg | <2 mg/kg |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤2 mg/kg | <1 mg/kg |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤1 mg/kg | <0.5 mg/kg |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤1 mg/kg | <0.5 mg/kg |
| Total Plate Count | ≤1000 CFU/g | <100 CFU/g |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤100 CFU/g | <10 CFU/g |
| E. coli | Negative/25 g | Negative |
| Salmonella | Negative/25 g | Negative |
This page shows a batch-data summary only. No direct COA file link is provided; request the signed document through the form below.
Facial cleansers
Shampoos
Body washes
Micellar water
Dishwashing liquids
Laundry detergents
All-purpose cleaners
Use the selected sophorolipid congener profile with compatible amphoteric or nonionic surfactants to balance cleansing, foam, viscosity and after-feel in facial cleanser, shampoo and body wash prototypes.
Evidence: Process guidance based on commercial surfactant use; finished products require irritation, preservation and performance tests.Source
This combination has laboratory evidence for an antimicrobial, self-preserving cosmetic prototype and may be screened in rinse-off or targeted topical systems.
Evidence: Laboratory evidence only; allergen labeling, sensitization, preservation challenge testing and clinical claims require separate review.Source
Literature-Supported Research Directions
A 2024 study evaluated acid-form sophorolipids using cytotoxicity and reconstructed-skin irritation methods and reported very low irritation comparable with solvents and oils used in personal care. Results apply to the tested composition, not all sophorolipid mixtures.
Citation: Hirata et al., Journal of Oleo Science (2024). PMID: 39168628.View source
A formulation study combined sophorolipids with palmarosa essential oil and reported stable antibacterial activity against acne-associated bacteria. This was a laboratory formulation study and does not establish acne-treatment efficacy in people.
Citation: Ribeiro et al., Letters in Applied Microbiology (2022). PMID: 35686654.View source
A defined sophorolipid preparation disrupted Trichophyton membranes and biofilms in vitro and improved infection outcomes in a mouse model. The tested congener mixture, concentration and animal model cannot be translated directly into cosmetic claims.
Citation: Sen et al., Frontiers in Microbiology 11 (2020), 329. PMID: 32226417.View source
Note: For ingredient R&D and scientific information; findings depend on model, dose, formulation and population and do not constitute a treatment claim or efficacy guarantee.
Lead Time
3–5business days
Standard products are generally in stock; confirm the exact lead time with us.
Minimum Order
1 kg
Samples, pilot trials, and commercial volumes are supported.
Foil Pouch
Sealed, moisture-protective inner packaging
Fiber Drum
Standard outer packaging for bulk transport
Bulk Shipping
Palletized and stretch-wrapped for protection
Ambient storage: foil pouch + fiber drum; temperature controlled: foil pouch + insulated box/carton. Confirm by product.
Custom packaging: Custom foil bags or HDPE drums, GMP label printing, and export documentation are available. Contact us for a quote.Images are packaging illustrations.
Certifications
Strain & Seed Culture Preparation
A selected sophorolipid-producing yeast strain (e.g. Starmerella bombicola) is revived and expanded through seed culture stages under sterile, controlled conditions.
Feedstock Preparation
A hydrophilic carbon source (glucose or another sugar) is combined with a hydrophobic co-substrate such as vegetable oil or a fatty acid, along with nitrogen sources and trace nutrients, to prepare the fermentation medium.
Fed-Batch Aerobic Fermentation
The yeast is cultivated in a fed-batch bioreactor under controlled aeration, temperature, and pH over several days, during which sophorolipid congeners accumulate extracellularly in the broth.
Biomass Separation
The fermentation broth is centrifuged or filtered to remove yeast cells and residual insoluble oil, leaving a crude sophorolipid-rich phase.
Extraction & Purification
The crude product is extracted with a suitable solvent and subjected to washing and purification steps to remove residual sugars, salts, and unreacted fatty material.
Congener Fractionation (Acidic/Lactonic Ratio Adjustment)
The purified mixture is optionally fractionated or crystallized to adjust the acidic-to-lactonic congener ratio for the target grade.
Concentration & Drying
The purified sophorolipid is concentrated by evaporation to a viscous liquid, or further spray-dried/granulated to a powder form, depending on the intended product grade.
Quality Control & Packaging
Finished material is tested for purity, appearance, heavy metals, and microbial limits before being packaged under controlled conditions for shipment.
Purity is determined by HPLC, typically with evaporative light-scattering or charged-aerosol detection, since sophorolipid congeners lack a strong UV-absorbing chromophore; results are usually reported as total glycolipid content together with the acidic-to-lactonic congener ratio. Buyers should request the batch-specific certificate of analysis, confirm the analytical method and reference standard used, and check residual fatty acid/oil content, as these factors can influence performance in the target formulation.
Commercial sophorolipid biosurfactants are used in facial cleansers, shampoos, body washes, micellar water and household detergents. Acidic and lactonic congeners differ in mildness, foaming, antimicrobial activity and solubility; verify congener profile, pH, salt tolerance, preservative compatibility and rinse-off performance.
Each shipment is accompanied by a certificate of analysis (COA) covering purity, appearance, and safety parameters for that specific batch; buyers are welcome to request the COA before or after purchase.
Yes. It is produced entirely by yeast fermentation using a hydrophilic sugar source and a vegetable oil or fatty acid co-substrate, followed by separation, extraction, and purification of the resulting biosurfactant.
It is dispersible in water rather than fully soluble, forming micellar dispersions above its critical micelle concentration. We recommend pre-dispersing it in the aqueous phase with mild heat and agitation before combining with the rest of the formulation.
Yes, small trial samples are available on request so that you can evaluate purity, appearance, and performance in your own formulation before committing to a bulk order.
Yes, buyers are welcome to send samples to an accredited third-party laboratory of their choice for independent verification of purity, heavy metals, and microbial limits.
Yes, we support OEM and private-label supply, including customized packaging, labeling, and formulation-support discussions for qualified bulk orders.
Standard packaging typically includes drums or lined bags in various sizes suited to bulk industrial shipment; alternative packaging can be discussed for specific order requirements.
MOQ and pricing depend on order volume, packaging, and destination; please contact our sales team with your target quantity and application to receive a formal quotation.
Documents are subject to product and batch availability; third-party reports are provided only when applicable.
Quality documents
The specification sheet defines acceptance limits. The COA shows actual batch results, which may vary by batch. Third-party reports are provided only for products or batches that have been independently tested.
Stable acceptance criteria · Available on request
Actual test data · Issued with each shipment
Technical Resources
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