Origin of hyaluronic acid: bacterial fermentation
Quick facts
- Definition
- Industrial process in which cultured bacteria produce hyaluronic acid, which is then purified.
- Earlier source
- Some products used to be obtained from animal tissue, such as rooster comb.
- Stated advantage
- Non-animal origin, with a lower risk of animal-derived proteins.
- Final molecule
- Identical to the one in the human body; the difference is in the preparation, not the substance.
- Caution
- Purity and quality depend on a properly licensed manufacturer.
The hyaluronic acid used in dermal fillers is, in most current products, made by bacterial fermentation. In industrial tanks, selected bacteria grown in a nutrient medium produce the molecule, which is then separated, purified, processed and turned into a gel. The result is hyaluronic acid that is chemically identical to what the human body already produces.
How does fermentation work?
In broad terms, the process has steps that are easy to follow: culturing the bacteria, producing the polymer, removing the biomass, purifying to eliminate proteins and other residues, adjusting the molecular weight and, in the case of fillers, crosslinking to give the gel durability. Each manufacturer has its own methods, and the details are part of the trade secret.
Why does this matter to the clinic?
In the past, some products were obtained from animal tissue, such as rooster comb, which raised concerns about animal-derived proteins and reactions. Fermentation led to non-animal products with greater quality control. For the professional, the practical point is this: origin is related to biocompatibility, but it does not eliminate the risk of a reaction.
What about allergy?
A reaction to a hyaluronic acid filler may be related to impurities, to other components of the gel or to an individual response. It is a rare hypersensitivity reaction, and the subject is debated when discussing allergy testing for fillers. The biodegradability of hyaluronic acid also allows hyaluronidase to be used when necessary.
Inform the patient according to the informed consent form.
In Harmy
The app does not deal with products or brands. It simulates, on the frontal photo, the aesthetic effect of a volume in ml, without specifying the material.
Also known as: non-animal origin of hyaluronic acid.
Frequently asked questions
Does the hyaluronic acid in fillers come from animals?
Most current products are of non-animal origin, obtained by bacterial fermentation. Exact information on each product is in the package insert and the regulatory registration.
Does bacterial origin increase the risk of allergy?
Origin is not what determines it. The reaction can come from process residues, other components of the gel or an individual response. Purified, licensed products reduce this risk but do not eliminate it.