Amazon natural plant ingredient – Acai Palms (Euterpe oleracea)

Acai Palms (Euterpe oleracea) are native to the tropical Central and South American climes and grow from Belize to the south of Brazil and Peru in floodplains and swamps. Named after a Portuguese beverage that is made from the palm’s fruit, Acai palms are capable of producing two crops of fruit per year. The small, deep purple fruit are similar in appearance to grapes, and they are considered to be rich in fatty acids such as oleic acid, palmitic acid and poly- unsaturated linoleic acid.

ABS Acai Sterols, are sterols that are derived from cold pressing the seeds for oil. The oil is then fractionated and the sterols are removed. Sterols are useful for increasing barrier formation on the skin while also improving hydration. The hydration potential of ABS Acai Sterols was determined using the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) water absorption capacity method. The process involves drip- ping water into a sample in a mortar and mixing well at room temperature, until the terminal point is reached. The terminal point is defined as the point at which water can no longer be mixed into the emulsion. The Water Holding Capacity (%) = ((Amount of water contained/Sample weight) x 100). The results indicate that ABS Acai Sterols is capable of holding more than double their weight in water, and may therefore be used to hold water on the surface of skin or hair.