Guanine
Description
Guanine (CAS 73-40-5), also known commercially as Pearl Essence and Natural White 1, is a naturally occurring purine base sourced primarily from fish scales. It is used across cosmetics, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical applications.
Its crystalline platelet structure produces a distinctive iridescent optical effect, making it a sought-after ingredient in pearlescent formulations. In life sciences, it functions as a biochemical reference material and nucleotide synthesis building block.
In personal care manufacturing, guanine is incorporated into nail polishes, lipsticks, eyeshadows, and shampoos to deliver pearl-like shimmer and light diffusion. Cosmetic formulators value it as a natural-origin alternative to synthetic mica.
In pharmaceutical and biotechnology research, it serves as a precursor and reference standard in nucleoside and nucleotide synthesis workflows. Diagnostic reagent producers also source it as a high-purity analytical standard for assay development.
Guanine is supplied as a fine crystalline powder, typically in natural or synthetic origin grades depending on the application. Cosmetic-grade material is available to meet INCI-compliant formulation requirements for global distribution.
Pharmaceutical and biotech buyers source USP or research-grade specifications with defined purity thresholds. Packaging ranges from small laboratory quantities to bulk industrial volumes to meet diverse manufacturing needs.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | 360 °C (decomp) |
| Boiling Point | 273.11°C (rough estimate) |
| Density | 1.4456 (rough estimate) |
| Appearance | white to light yellow crystal powder |
| Color | White to cream |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Form | Powder |
| Water Solubility | practically insoluble |
| Refractive Index | 2.0000 (estimate) |
| Log P | -0.910 |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29335900 |
| Storage Class | 11 - Combustible Solids |
| WGK (Germany) | 3 |
Documentation
Other Names
Pearl Essence|Naturon|Natural White 1|Natural pearl essence|Mearlmaid AA|Mearlmaid|Guanine enol|Guanin
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