Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Gluten

Safety Information

United States (U.S.)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes wheat gluten on the list of ingredients Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for direct addition to food.

Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety

The safety of wheat germ glycerides and triticum vulgare (wheat) gluten has been assessed by the Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.

The Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that wheat germ glycerides and triticum vulgare (wheat) gluten were safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products. In 2001, as part of the scheduled re-evaluation of ingredients, the Expert Panel considered available new data on wheat germ glycerides and wheat gluten and reaffirmed the above conclusion.

The Expert Panel reviewed the results of laboratory tests on the safety of wheat germ glycerides, triticum vulgare (wheat) gluten, and of numerous cosmetics and personal care products containing these materials as presently used. These data supported the conclusion that wheat germ glycerides (0.25-2%) and wheat gluten (1%), in low concentrations in specific product formulations are non-sensitizing and nonirritating to human skin. Limited photopatch testing of wheat germ glycerides in lipstick bases (1-2%) was also negative.

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for wheat gluten
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

Because some people are allergic to wheat, the FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that all food containing wheat be clearly labeled. Information about the FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidance…

European Union (EU)

Wheat germ glycerides and wheat gluten may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation:
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…

Resources

Food Ingredients and Packaging

Learn More

Food Contact Substances

Learn More

Substances Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)

Learn More

Search the Code of Federal Regulations

Learn More

EU Cosmetics Inventory

Learn More

Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Gluten

What Is It?

Wheat germ glycerides is a light yellow or reddish-yellow oil and triticum vulgare (wheat) gluten is a creamy-tan powder. In cosmetics and personal care products, wheat germ glycerides is used most commonly in the formulation of lipsticks and moisturizers. Triticum vulgare (wheat) gluten can be found in mascaras and skin care products.

Why Is It Used?

Wheat germ glycerides acts as a lubricant on the skin’s surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance. Wheat germ glycerides enhances the appearance of dry or damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring suppleness. Triticum vulgare (wheat) gluten functions as a binder, or a hair or skin conditioning agent.

Scientific Facts

Wheat germ glycerides is a mixture of fatty acids derived from Triticum Vulgare (wheat) germ oil. Triticum Vulgare (wheat) gluten is a protein substance which is intermixed with the starch portion in the endosperm of the wheat, Triticum vulgare.

Wheat germ glycerides is a mixture of mono-, di-, and triglycerides produced by the transesterification of wheat germ oil.

Glyceryl esters comprise a subgroup of esters which are primarily fatty acid mono- and diglycerides or triglycerides modified by reaction with other alcohols. Also included are the fatty acid esters of polyglycerin, the complex dehydration product of glycerin. Like natural fats and oils, glyceryl esters are subject to hydrolysis.

They are used in cosmetics as emollients, lubricants, vehicles and thickening agents. In addition, the monoglycerides are important emulsifiers. In cosmetics and personal care products, wheat germ glycerides functions as a skin conditioning agent – emollient and Triticum Vulgare (wheat) gluten functions as a skin conditioning agent – miscellaneous.

Triticum Vulgare (wheat) gluten can also be used as a binder and a hair conditioning agent. Gluten is an amorphous mixture of proteins found combined with starch in the endosperm of some cereals, notably wheat, rye, and barley. It constitutes about 80% of the proteins contained in wheat and is composed of the proteins gliadin and glutenin. Gluten is responsible for the elasticity of kneaded dough, which allows it to be leavened, as well as the “chewiness” of baked products like bagels. It is the glutenins (specifically, high molecular weight glutenins) that are especially critical to gluten quality.