Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Also known as Leucidal Liquid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
“CIR Expert Panel says: safe as used in cosmetics.”
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is produced by Leuconostoc bacteria fermenting Raphanus sativus (radish) root substrate; after fermentation, bacterial cells are removed to yield a filtrate containing water, proteins, phenolics, and bacteriocins. Though widely marketed as a natural preservative producing antimicrobial peptides, Li et al. (2015, PMID 25779084) identified the primary antimicrobial agents as salicylic acid (active against Gram-negative bacteria) and a didecyldimethylammonium salt (active against Gram-positive bacteria), with no evidence of fermentation-derived peptides by radiocarbon dating. The CIR Expert Panel assessed all 7 radish root-derived ferment variants — including this filtrate — as safe in cosmetics at present use concentrations (up to 1.1% in rinse-off; 0.03% in leave-on sprays) when formulated to be non-sensitizing; genotoxicity (Ames test negative), dermal irritation (reconstructed epidermis non-irritating), sensitization (HRIPT and in vitro assays non-sensitizing), and phototoxicity studies all returned favorable results.
Antimicrobial/preservative activity against bacteria and fungi across typical cosmetic use concentrations
Non-genotoxic in Ames test (Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, E. coli WP2 uvrA)
Non-irritating in EpiDerm reconstructed epidermis model at ≤1% concentration
Non-sensitizing at use concentrations in HRIPT and in vitro sensitization assays
Not a photoirritant at cosmetic concentrations in 3T3 neutral red uptake phototoxicity assay
Consumer-preferred label position as a 'natural' or 'ferment-derived' preservative
- · Primary antimicrobial agents identified as salicylic acid and didecyldimethylammonium salts rather than fermentation-derived peptides as commonly marketed
- · SQ qualification: must be formulated to be non-sensitizing
- · Sensitization potential flagged in CIR review — requires formulation-level verification
CIR Quick Reference Table (10/2024) — LEUCONOSTOC/RADISH ROOT FERMENT FILTRATE row: Finding=SQ (Safe Qualified), Citation=Final Report Av…
CIR Safety Assessment of Radish Root-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics (TR_RadishRoot_122021, finalized 06/2022)
“The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety concluded that the following 7 radish root-derived ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment when formulated to be nonsensitizing: Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate”— TR_RadishRoot_122021.pdf, p. 3