Nagase Viita
Pionin
Pionin is an effective antimicrobial agent (a yellow crystalline cyanine dye) marketed for use in cosmetics as an anti-acne, anti-dandruff and deodorant active and preservative. It has been authorized for use in quasi-drug applications in Japan since 1962 and is listed in Japanese standards of quasi-drug/cosmetic ingredients. The product is effective at very low concentrations and is typically formulated using solvents or solubilizers with protection from light.
Identification
Chemical Name:
3-Heptyl-2-[(3-Heptyl-4-Methyl-3H-Thiazol-2-Ylidene)Methyl]-4-Methylthiazolium IodideINCI Name:
Quaternium-73Molecular Formula:
C23H39IN2S2Functionality
System:
Skincare & Personal Care FormulationFunction Description:
Pionin functions as a potent antimicrobial active for cosmetic formulations — serving as a preservative and topical anti-acne/anti-dandruff agent. As a quaternized cyanine dye (INCI: Quaternium-73) it exerts broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity at very low concentrations and is added into lotions, creams, shampoos or deodorant products to inhibit microbial growth.Applications & Uses:
Used as a preservative and antimicrobial active in topical personal care and cosmetic products (lotions, creams, shampoos, deodorants), and as an anti-acne active against Cutibacterium acnes. Typically supplied as a solid powder; formulators prepare stock solutions (e.g., 0.1% in ethanol or 1,3-butylene glycol) and add to formulations. Light-sensitive—use lightproof containers; may require solubilizers if crystallization occurs.Benefits:
High antimicrobial potency at very low usage levels; broad-spectrum activity including Gram-positive, Gram-negative and Cutibacterium acnes; good thermal and pH stability in formulations; established regulatory history in Japan; easy to incorporate via solvent/stock solution; suitable for anti-acne, anti-dandruff and deodorant applications.Performance Attributes:
Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with very low MICs (down to 0.00008% for some strains); demonstrated activity vs. Cutibacterium acnes; heat-stable (residual ~98–99% after up to 3 hr at 85°C in lotion at 0.005% w/v); pH-stable across pH 2–12 with high residuals (tested at 0.001% w/v stored 6 months at 40°C); photostability is good when protected from light but degrades in transparent containers; soluble in solvents such as ethanol and 1,3-butylene glycol; effective at low use levels enabling minimal formulation impact.Brand:
PioninManufacturer:
Nagase ViitaProperties:
| Chemical Formula: | C23H39IN2S2 |
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| Molecular Weight: | 534.60 |
| Chemical Name: | 3-Heptyl-2-[(3-heptyl-4-methyl-3H-thiazol-2-ylidene)methyl]-4-methylthiazolium iodide |
| Antimicrobial Activity (MIC, Broth microdilution): | Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538: 0.00008%; Staphylococcus aureus JCM 8702: 0.00016%; Enterococcus faecalis JCM 5803T: 0.00016%; Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212: 0.00016%; Enterococcus faecium ATCC 6057: 0.00031%; Enterococcus faecium ATCC 19434: 0.00031%; Escherichia coli ATCC 8739: 0.00063%; Serratia marcescens ATCC 14041: 0.005%; Pantoea agglomerans ATCC 27155: 0.00031%; Enterobacter cloacae AHU 134: >0.005%; Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 10031: 0.00031%; Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 9621: 0.00063%; Pseudomonas aeruginosa IFO 3453: 0.00008%; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027: 0.0025% |
| Anti-acne Activity (C. acnes MIC): | Cutibacterium acnes JCM 6425: 0.0008%; Cutibacterium acnes JCM 6473: 0.0004%; Cutibacterium acnes ATCC 11827: 0.0008% (test per Japanese Society of Chemotherapy standard) |
| Heat Stability: | Residual: 0 hr 99%; 1 hr 98%; 2 hr 99%; 3 hr 98% (lotion containing 0.005% w/v PIONIN incubated at 85°C, absorbance at 411 nm measured hourly) |
| pH Stability: | Residual (%) after storage at 40°C for 6 months for 0.001% w/v solutions: pH2 95%; pH3 92%; pH4 90%; pH5 88%; pH6 100%; pH7 98%; pH8 97%; pH9 100%; pH10 100%; pH11 100%; pH12 95%; pH13 30% |
| Photostability: | Brown vial residual (%): 0 mo 100; 1 mo 99; 2 mo 98. Transparent vial residual (%): 0 mo 100; 1 mo 32; 2 mo 12 (lotion 0.002% w/v stored at room temperature) |
| Formulation / Solubility Notes: | A 0.1% PIONIN solution can be prepared in ethanol, 1,3-butylene glycol or other appropriate solvents for addition to formulations; may crystallize in formulations—use solubilizers; protect from light |
Storage Type:
| Storage: | Use lightproof containers; protect from light |
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| Country of Availability: | USA |
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- Technical Data Sheet
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