Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of green coffee oil in cosmetic formulations

Green coffee oil (GCO) and cosmetic formulations containing 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% of this oil were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The oil and the formulations containing this oil showed low antioxidant activity evaluated by the DPPH method (42% of GCO was equivalent to 0.002% of BHT). No antimicrobial activity was found for GCO and formulations against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacilus subtilis, Propionibacterium acnes and Candida albicans, using the well diffusion method. Although GCO has been used for many years in cosmetic formulations, further studies are still needed to duly support the usefulness of GCO in skin healthcare and cosmetic products.