gantrez S-97 polymer ™

bioadhesive polymer
for longer-lasting
ingredient efficacy
description
Consumers are looking to maintain good oral health
as part of their overall health and wellness. As a result,
oral care products that provide gum care, kill germs,
have antibacterial properties and/or offer long-lasting
freshness appeal. To meet the consumer needs, there
is increasing use of plant extracts, herbs, botanical
and essential oils to provide oral health benefits.
powder and solution grades available
These ingredients may need to be retained in the oral
cavity to provide longer-lasting efficacy. Gantrez™ S-97 S-97 HSU
properties S-97 BF solution
polymer aids in the retention of many water insoluble or
white to off-white,
oil soluble ingredients. appearance @ 25C free-flowing
slightly hazy
viscous liquid
powder
% solids (active) ~94 15-17

water/moisture (%) <6 85-83

key features and benefits
viscosity Brookfield
¢ holds a wide range of insoluble and oil soluble LV, #2 spindle 30 rpm not applicable ~1000 cP
@25C (as supplied)
materials in mouth
pH 21 22
¢ is bioadhesive polymer
1
5% aqueous solution. 2
as supplied
¢ has long history of use in oral care

¢ is water soluble and is available as an aqueous suggested use level: up to 2 wt.% active polymer
solution or powder
a bioadhesive polymer that delivers
¢ is suitable for vegan products
Gantrez™ S-97 polymer is the free acid form of the
¢ controls tartar
copolymer of methyl vinyl ether (MVE) and maleic
anhydride. This linear, alternating, high molecular
weight copolymer shows excellent oral mucosal
adhesion through a combination of good wetting
applications
(e.g., low interfacial surface tension) and high
¢ toothpaste
molecular weight1. Raman spectroscopy studies show
¢ mouthwash and rinses the presence of polymer on bovine treated enamel
¢ mouth sprays (figure 1). In these studies, half of the enamel surface is
covered with tape and then the enamel is submerged
chemical structure into a model liquid toothpaste for 10 minutes. The
INCI: PVM/MA Copolymer enamel is removed from toothpaste, rinsed and dried.
The tape is removed before imaging.
CAS number: 25153-40-6
figure 1. bovine enamel treated with liquid toothpaste figure 2. Gantrez™ S-97 polymer improves in-vitro
containing Gantrez™ S-97 polymer (right) shows retention of IPMP to HAP discs
presence of polymer 25

20

15

µg/disc
10

0
no polymer with S-97 polymer
average uptake
n=3 for each data point
average 1hr. retention

retain plant extracts, botanical and essential oils

Based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
(NMR) studies, the relatively insoluble ingredient or
active is solubilized by the surfactant in the formulation.
The surfactant complexes with the Gantrez™ S-97
polymer through interactions with the polymer
backbone and the vinyl ether side chain. The maleic
acid functionality adheres the complexed active to the
mucosal surfaces in the mouth to serve as a reservoir for
gradual release of the active. Gantrez™ S-97 polymers
are particularly effective due to the strong bioadhesive
functionality of the maleic acid group combined with
its high molecular weight which creates a greater
number of adhesive contact points per molecule. This
mechanism is not specific to an active and can be
applied to a wide range of active ingredients.
holds antimicrobial agents in the mouth
The addition of Gantrez™ S-97 polymer to toothpaste
and mouth rinse formulations with relatively water
insoluble actives that can be emulsified by the
surfactant results in enhanced buccal retention.
Non-cationic antimicrobial agents added to oral care
formulations can be quickly rinsed from the mouth,
allowing only minimal contact time that is insufficient
for good antimicrobial action. Gantrez™ S-97 polymer
can hold antibacterial agents in the mouth for long-
lasting efficacy2.
For example, IPMP (4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol), an
isomer of thymol, has shown in the literature, efficacy
at reducing levels of bacteria in the mouth, resulting
in plaque reduction and gum health. In this study,
an aqueous phase toothpaste with 0.05% IPMP
was formulated with and without 2% Gantrez™ S-97
polymer3. The aqueous phase toothpaste contained
1.5% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The results (figure 2)
show the improved uptake and retention of IPMP to the
saliva coated discs. The increase in retention may result
in improved clinical outcomes.
The use of botanical and plant extracts in toothpaste
are on the rise5. Gantrez™ S-97 polymer is effective at
enhancing the retention in oral cavity of many of these
ingredients, depending on their properties. Procedures
for studying the uptake and retention of actives on
saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (HAP) discs are described
in the literature.2 The enhanced uptake and retention
of a number of flavor oils and botanical oils with
Gantrez™ S-97 polymer in model aqueous phase and
full toothpaste have been studied (table 1). Increasing
the retention of these ingredients can provide improved
breath freshening and longer duration of action.
table 1. examples of plant extracts, essential and
botanical oils that have been shown enhanced
in-vitro uptake and/or retention on artificial saliva
coated HAP discs with Gantrez™ S-97 polymer
traditional
Chinese
essential oils botanical oils medicines
eucalyptus cinnamon oil pseudoginseng
menthol clove oil paeonol
thymol ginger oil
wintergreen
honokiol
(methyl salicylate)
lemon myrtle oil
thyme oil
In one example, the uptake and retention of
pseudoginseng, in a model toothpaste without and with
Gantrez™ S-97 polymer was studied. Pseudoginseng,
a popular ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine,
is available as a white-yellow powder. It was added
to a model aqueous phase toothpaste at 0.3% with
2% Gantrez™ S-97 BF polymer and 2% SLS. The results
(figure 3) show the improved in-vitro uptake and
retention to pellicle-coated HAP discs with Gantrez™
S-97 BF polymer compared to control (no polymer)
suggesting the potential for long-lasting benefits.
figure 3. Gantrez™ S-97 polymer enhances in-vitro references
uptake and retention of pseudoginseng on pellicle 1
Davies M., S. Kamin, P. Gebreselassie, H. Fares , “Interactions of a
coated HAP discs PVM/MA Copolymer with Buccal Mucosa and Enamel Surfaces,”
poster presentation, , 2019IADR/AADR/CADR General Session
400
(Vancouver, BC, Canada), 2019.

350
2
Fotinos S. Panagakos, Anthony R. Volpe, MS Margaret E. Petrone,
William DeVizio Robin M. Davies; Advanced Oral Antibacterial/Anti-
300 inflammatory Technology: A Comprehensive Review of the Clinical
Benefits of a Triclosan/Copolymer/Fluoride Dentifrice. (J Clin Dent 16
250 (Supplement):S1–S20, 2005).

200
3
Oths, P., Y. Turovskiy, P. Gebreselassie, K. Winkowski, P. Suszczynski, S.
ppm

Wahidi, “PVM/MA Copolymer Enhances Antimicrobial Efficacy and

150 Delivery of 4-Isopropyl-3-Methylphenol in Model Toothpaste,” poster
presentation, IADR (Seoul, Korea), 2016
100 (ashland.com/ poster)

50
4
Nambe N.,C. Mukerjee, A. Gaffar and R. Schmid, “In-vitro and In-vivo
Studies of Triclosan/PVM/MA Copolymer/NaF Combinations as an
0 Antiplaque Agent,” Am J Dent, 2, 197-240, (1989)
with S-97 polymer no polymer
5
Euromonitor, 2020.
average uptake average retention

n=6 for each data point

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