Superoxide Dismustase
Description
Enzymatic antioxidant; preventive antioxidant; converts superoxide radicals (O2•−) to hydrogen peroxide at the radical initiation stage; anti-pollution active
Function
Properties
Regulatory Status
Preventive enzymatic antioxidant that intercepts superoxide radicals before chain initiation, mechanistically complementary to chain-breaking antioxidants. Typical use 0.001–0.01% active protein. Critical formulation challenge: protein stability and penetration require liposomal delivery with unsaturated phosphatidylcholine-based liposomes. Conventional aqueous formulations rapidly inactive. Claims require substantiation with stability and penetration data. Recombinant or plant-derived SOD preferred over bovine-source. Best suited to premium anti-pollution and anti-aging formulations with appropriate delivery technology.
No FDA restrictions for topical cosmetic use. Classified as cosmetic ingredient. No specific CIR final report. FDA recognises catalase and SOD as GRAS for food enzyme preparations (21 CFR 184). Bovine-source SOD historically used — recombinant and plant-derived forms now preferred for BSE risk mitigation.
Ratings
Identifiers
No registry identifiers available for this ingredient.