Phosphatidylcholine

Phosphatidylcholine (CAS 97281-44-2), commonly sourced from egg yolk or soy lecithin, is a phospholipid used as a high-performance emulsifier in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic manufacturing.

Where is Phosphatidylcholine used?

• Pharmaceutical: principal lipid for liposomal drug delivery systems
• Encapsulation of hydrophilic and lipophilic active compounds
• Cosmetics: stabilises emulsions and supports transdermal penetration in skin creams and serums
• Food: emulsifies fat-in-water systems in dressings, spreads, and infant formula
• Biotechnology: critical raw material for lipid nanoparticles in delivery platforms
• It is the primary functional component in lecithin concentrates and is traded separately where higher purity is required.
• Used in nutritional supplements for liver health and cognitive support.
• Used together with sodium taurocholate to simulate biorelevant media in fed and fasted states for solubility studies of highly lipophilic drugs.
• Soluble in the oil phase; should not be added directly to the aqueous phase.
• A high shear mixer is recommended for homogeneous dispersion.

Good to know: Egg-derived and soy-derived variants are both commercially available; sourcing choice is often driven by regulatory or allergen requirements.

Formulation notes

• Compatible with niacinamide, ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and lipophilic antioxidants.

Typical specification

• Unsaturated phosphatidylcholine is used to make liposomes and has the INCI name Phosphatidylcholine.
• Saturated phosphatidylcholine is more stable in creams than unsaturated phosphatidylcholine.
• There is no pH limitation, but stable structures are generally obtained at pH 4.5–7.5.
• A purified class of lecithin containing at least 95% phospholipids.

Regulatory status

• Recognized by the EU as a food additive designated E322.
• Recognized with GRAS status by the FDA.
• No approved indication exists for subcutaneous use of phosphatidylcholine; marketed formulations are authorized exclusively for intravenous use.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and protect from moisture.

Frequently asked questions about Phosphatidylcholine

How can phosphatidylcholine be stabilized in formulations?

It can be stabilized with lipophilic antioxidants such as vitamin E or squalane.

What concentration defines a phosphatidylcholine concentrate?

Lecithin preparations enriched with 30% or more phosphatidylcholine by weight are considered PC concentrates.

What functional benefits does phosphatidylcholine provide in powder handling?

It improves the wetting properties of hydrophilic powders (such as low-fat proteins) and lipophilic powders (such as cocoa powder), controls dust, and helps complete dispersion in water.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.