Peach
BOTANICAL PROPERTIES
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (= Prunus persica Stokes). It belongs to the Rosaceae family and it is
commonly known as peach tree. It originated in China and was introduced in Europe through Persia, as
its etymology suggests, persicus-a-um, and in multiple warm regions to obtain its fruit, the peach.
The peach tree is a deciduous fruit tree with a smooth bark that grows up to 6 m. tall. It has simple,
lanceolate leaves, 8-15 cm. long and 2-3 cm. broad. The leaves are longly acuminated and have a
slightly jagged edge. The flowers are usually solitary and 2-4 cm. in diameter, with a pink-red colour.
Fruiting takes place on branches formed the previous year when the tree is in a resting period and for
several hours at temperatures below 10ºC. However, spring freezes tend to happen during the flowering
period and can negatively affect the tree. Flowering only takes place once on each branch and,
therefore, pruning is essential to obtain new crops every year.
This species generates a big-sized (5-7,5 cm. in diameter) fleshy
fruit, with a thin epidermis, a fleshy mesocarp and a stone
endocarp containing the seed. This drupe, also known as peach,
has a velvety skin, a yellowish-red colour and a longitudinal
grove more or less marked on its exterior. It also has a fleshy
part with a yellow-whitish colour, sweet flavour and a
characteristic aroma, which is highly appreciated.
Figure 1. Parts of a drupe
It is cultivated in many countries, but preferably in temperate regions, as it requires abundant water and
permeable, neutral and loose soil, with a high content in nutrients and organic matter.
There are many different varieties, but peaches with white flesh, which typically are very sweet with little
acidity, are most popular in China, Japan and other Asian countries, while yellow-fleshed peaches with
an acidic tang are more favoured in European and North American countries.
The peach extract is obtained from the Prunus persica fruit.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Peach has an 86-89% water content, a 7.5-8.5% sugar content (mainly sacarose, glucose and fructose),
a 0.6-1.2% protein content, a 0.3% fat content, a 1.2-1.4% fibre content (mainly cellulose, pectins and
hemicelluloses), a 0.63% acid content, a 0.8% mineral content (potassium being the main constituent),
several vitamins (mainly from group B and C) and a 0.20-0.80% carotenoid content (mainly β- carotene).
Table 1 shows the main components found in peaches.
V 04-10/11
Exclusive N.A. Distributor
CENTERCHEM, INC. NORWALK, CT
Ph: 203-822-9800 Fax: 203-822-9820
www.centerchem.com
42651,46410,46550,47030-1
Total acids present in peaches are malic acid
and, in a smaller proportion, citric and quinic acid.
It also contains phenolic compounds, catequins
and leucoanthocyanins.
Table 1. Approximate composition of peaches (fresh fruit).
Components
Potassium
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B3
Vitamin C
Leucoanthocyanins
Weight (mg / 100 g)
453
0.00002
0.04
0.50
1 – 27
20.30 – 178.00
Components
Sugars
Proteins
Fat
Fibre
Total acids
Minerals
Carotenoids
% in fresh weight
7.50 – 8.50
0.60 – 1.20
0.30
1.20
0.63
0.80
0.20 – 0.80
Mineral content is very varied and broad, with potassium
being the main component, together with phosphorus,
sulphur, magnesium and calcium, whose proportions are
nonetheless the most relevant ones. Water-soluble
vitamins contained in peaches include group B vitamins
(B1, B2 and B3) and vitamin C, in a high percentage.
Table 2. Other peach components, in weigh
The presence of carotenoids and their derivatives is significant and more important than in other fruits. In
particular, β-cryptoxantine, β-carotene and α-carotene (vitamin A precursors) have been detected,
together with zeaxanthine, lycopene and xanthophyll, that gives peaches their characteristic colour.
Figure 2. Vitamin C
Figure 3. β- carotene structure
TRADITIONAL USES
The peach tree originates from China, where references to its cultivation and use date back as far as
3000 years. It was not only used as a fruit tree, there are also legends and traditions closely linked to its
fruit. According to one of these legends, the popular and noble Japanese hero Momotarô was born from
the inside of a big peach, which was floating down a river. He then faced many adventures and even
defeated dangerous devils (Oni).
The peach was believed to have mystical properties and grant
longevity to those who would eat it. Therefore, it was associated to
immortality. The Queen Mother of the West, or Xi Wang-mu, ensured
the eternal life of immortals, offering them immortality peaches in a
special celebration called Pantao Hui (Peach Festival), that took
place in her palace every 6000 years, since that was the time
required for the tree to fruit and for the fruits to ripen.
Often, ivory statutes of servants still preserved nowadays have three
peaches.
The Elder Zhang Guo, one of the Eight Chinese Immortals, is also
often depicted carrying an Immortality Peach.
Figure 4. Xi Wang-mu, holding a peach on her hand.
Introduced in Europe in Roman times as a fruit tree, it was discovered to have many beneficial
properties. The fruit was used to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, to cleanse the kidneys
and the bladder, and as a stimulant for the gastric system, but mainly to preserve good sight. The boiled
tree bark and leaves were used as a sedative, to relieve gastric irritations, as a diuretic and
expectorant, and to treat coughs. The infusion of its flowers was recommended to treat jaundice and as
a purgative.
V 04-10/11
42651,46410,46550,47030-2
COSMETIC PROPERTIES
Regulative activity of Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)
This activity is due to the content in carbohydrates and α-hydroxyacids (AHA) found in the peaches.
Widely used in the cosmetics industry, carbohydrates are hygroscopic active principles, which have the
capacity to absorb water and contribute to preserve the hydric level of the stratum corneum. These
active principles work forming hydrogen bridges, preventing a massive loss of water and stopping skin
dehydration. In addition, some of them form a protective film on the skin, preventing and delaying
transepidermal water loss and thus increasing the skin’s overall hydric level.
Most AHAs promote normal keratinisation and desquamation. Also, those that have multiple hydroxyl
groups, have antioxidant properties with a moisturising action, being especially appropriate for sensitive
skin (Yu, R.J. & Van Scott, E.J., 2002).
Therefore, peach extract is recommended for the formulation of cosmetic products with a moisturising
action on hair and skin.
Antiaging activity
Peaches are rich in carbohydrates, group B vitamins, including niacin (vitamin B3), and vitamin C (or Lascorbic acid), all of them necessary for healthy skin.

About collagen synthesis
According to an in vitro study, carbohydrates take active part in the synthesis of the main
components of skin and collagen I fibres, and restrict extracellular matrix degradation through
the reduction of the activity of metalloproteinase-1 (Jouandeaud, M. et al., 2004).
It was demonstrated that the topical application of vitamin B3 improved skin’s appearance,
expression lines and wrinkles, as well as hyperpigmentation and yellowish tones (Bissett, D.L.
et al., 2004).
One of the relevant mechanisms involved in the treatment of expression lines and wrinkles
consists in the reduction of excess glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the dermis, since a low
level of GAGs is required for a normal structure and functioning of the matrix. In the human
dermis, it has been demonstrated that niacin reduces excessive GAGs production from
fibroblasts.
Vitamin C directly stimulates collagen synthesis (activating its transcription and stabilising
procollagen ARNm) and it also works as a cofactor. It is essential for proline hydroxylation
and, therefore, it is equally essential in the generation and preservation of collagen’s integrity
(Chiu, A. & Kimball, AB., 2003). It also reduces metalloproteinase production in the
extracellular matrix. In a study, vitamin C vs placebo was applied on volunteers. In their skin
biopsies, an increase of ARNm synthesis of collagen I, collagen III and metalloproteinase-1
inhibitor was observed on the forearm treated with vitamin C. The most significant increases
were detected on those subjects with the lowest levels of vitamin C in their diets (Chiu, A. &
Kimball, AB., 2003). These activities confer useful properties to vitamin C for the treatment of
wounds and to generate new tissue.

V 04-10/11
About dermoepidermic union
A clear indication of skin aging is the flattening of the dermoepidermic
unions, which reduces the depth of interdigitations of epidermis and
dermic papillas. In aging skins, papillas are reduced, dermoepidermic
unions lose their wavy layer structure found in younger skin, and the
capillary that contains each dermic papilla is lost.
Sauermann K. et al. (2004) determined that the topical application of
vitamin C partially reestablishes the structure of dermoepidermic unions
in young skin and increases the number of dermic papillas capillaries in
aging skin in postmenopausal women. According to these results, the
42651,46410,46550,47030-3
topical application of vitamin C has an important effect in restoring the structure and
functioning of aging skin.
Considering all of the above, peach extract is recommended to formulate cosmetic products with
antiaging, toning and healing properties.
Antioxidant activity
Due to their content in phenolic compounds, vitamin C and carotenoids, peaches are an antioxidant fruit,
capable of neutralising free radicals and increasing resilience against cellular degradation.

Phenolic compounds
The antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds is a result of the combination of their iron
chelating properties and their free radical scavenging properties, which cause aging (Perez
Trueba, G., 2003).

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant with a free radical scavenging activity. It has
photoprotective properties similar to those of vitamin E, which has the capacity to neutralise
radicals generated by UVB rays. A study performed in animals (pigs) reported a reduction of
both the erythema induced by UVB rays and skin burns caused by exposure to these rays
through a previous treatment with vitamin C at 10%. Ascorbate can also have similar
protective effects against UVA rays, as a different study reported a reduction of burns on pig
skin exposed to UVA rays that had been previously sensitised with psoralen. Other models
carried out on human skin showed similar effects, either using only ascorbate or combining it
with vitamin E (Chiu, A. & Kimball, AB., 2003).

Carotenoids
Carotenoids are effective against free radicals, as they prevent their generation, reducing their
reactions and limiting their oxidative damage (in relation to free radicals). They are also
effective singlet oxygen suppressors and work as chain-breaking antioxidants, protecting cells
against attack from free radicals (VERIS, 1997).
Photoprotective products are essential to avoid the pernicious effects of sun exposure.
Therefore, sun filters are included in the formulation of photoprotective preparations. These
filters can be physical, chemical and/or biological (Marin, D. & Del Pozo, A., 2005). Biological
sun filters are antioxidant agents that prevent the formation of free radicals, strengthening the
immune subsystem of skin. The most common ones are vitamins A (β-carotenes), C and E (in
the form of acetate or palmitate).
Therefore, peach extract is recommended for the formulation of cosmetic products with a protective
action on hair and skin against oxidative processes.
Stimulating activity of cellular regeneration
This activity is linked to the peach content in α-hydroxyacids (AHA), mainly malic acid, but also due to
the action exerted by citric and quinic acid. The AHAs work at the stratum corneum level, acting on the
cohesion of corneocytes in the inner most layers, favouring a reduction of the stratum and improving the
flexibility of the skin’s surface.
As a consequence, peach extract is recommended for the formulation of cosmetic products with an
exfoliating action.
V 04-10/11
42651,46410,46550,47030-4
Activity on the hair
Nojiri M. et al. (2004) observed that inside the damaged capillary fibres there were a series of pores that
gave those fibres their dishevelled appearance. These authors developed a technology based on AHAs
and solvents that eliminated the pores in the capillary fibres, improving hair’s appearance. It also granted
significant durability to hairstyles, even in high humidity environmental conditions. It is believed that this
new differential technology, since was not polymer-based, fixed hair for a long period of time without
losing its natural texture thanks to the strong hydrogen bridges that the malic acid anion established with
the NH segments of hair proteins.
Therefore, peach extract are strongly recommended for the formulation of cosmetic products for specific
hair care.
COSMETIC APPLICATIONS
Action
TEWL Regulator
Antiaging
Antioxidant
Active Component
Carbohydrates
Organic Acids
Carbohydrates
Vitamin B3 and C
Phenolic Compounds
Vitamin C
Carotenoids
AHA
Cosmetic Application
-Moisturising
-Emollient
-Filmogenic
-Antiaging
-Toning
-Healing
-Free anti-radicals
-Antiaging
-Photoprotection
-Protection of hair coloration
Cellular regenerator
AHA
-Exfoliant
On the hair
AHA
-Capillary fibres repairer
-Hairstyle fixer
RECOMMENDED DOSAGE
The recommended dosage ranges from 0.5% to 5%.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Salunkhe D.K & Kadam S.S. Handbook of Fruit Science and Technology, Production, Composition,
Storage, and Processing. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1995. p 243-296.
Chiu A. & Kimball AB. Topical vitamins, minerals and botanical ingredients as modulators of
environmental and chronological skin damage. Br J Dermatol., 2003; 149: 681-691.
Jouandeaud M. et al. The Influence of Oligosaccharides on Skin Aging: An Alternative to Retinoids. C&T,
2004; 119 (6): 67-76 (ref. 6652).
Bissett D.L. et al. Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented
spots in aging facial skin. Int J Cosmet Sci, 2004; 26: 231-282.
Yu RJ & Van Scott EJ. Hydroxycarboxylic acids, N-acetylamino sugars, and N-acetylamino acids.
Skinmed., 2002; 1 (2): 117-22.
Pérez-Trueba G. Los flavonoides: antioxidantes o prooxidantes. Rev. Cubana Invest. Biomed., 2003; 22
(1): 48-57.
Nojiri M. et al. A novel technology for improving hair setting ability and its mechanism. J. Cosmet. Sci.,
2004; 55 (Supplement): 151-53.
Eficacia de los Carotenoides. VERIS Sumario de Investigación, 1997(ref.4115).
V 04-10/11
42651,46410,46550,47030-5
Sauermann K., Jaspers S., Koop U. & Wenck H. Topically applied vitamin C increases the density of
dermal papillae in aged human skin. BCM Dermatology, 2004; 4(1):13
Marín D & Del Pozo A. Filtros Solares. Características, tipos y requerimientos. OFFARM, 2005; 24(9):
175-178.
Websites visited in May 2008:
http://www.aluka.org
http://www.arbolesornamentales.com/Prunuspersica.htm
http://www.infojardin.net/fichas/plantas-medicinales/prunus-persica.htm
http://articulos.infojardin.com/Frutales/fichas/melocoton-melocotones.htm
http://www.mag.go.cr/bibioteca_virtual_ciencia/tec_melocoton.pdf
http://www.botanical-online.com/melocotones.htm
http://www.healthboss.com/fruitsandvegetables/index.html
http://frutas.consumer.es/documentos/frescas/melocoton/intro.php
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/parmar
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-5945/4/13
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6110478.html
V 04-10/11
42651,46410,46550,47030-6