Review Reports

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This manuscript reported the extraction and composition characterization of Amaranth oil, and following application in cosmetic formulations. The work concerning the separation of Amaranth oil is very limited, only about the composition difference by solvent extraction and supercritical CO2 extraction; all the other work is the application of Amaranth oil in cosmetic formulation. I think the work is not very correlated to the aims of Separations, even that it did not study the difference of extraction method on the performance of cosmetic formulations.

Some other comments as follows:

1 Line 162, the usage of Pt/C (250 mg per g) in catalyzing the hydrogenation of Amaranth oil is a little high.

2 Line 226, the linoleic acid content difference is two extraction method should be explained, in addition, the source of Amaranth oilseed affects the fatty acid content, but the oil extracted by solvent and supercritical CO2 may come from different places, so the comparison between the fatty acid and unsaponifiable composition by two extraction methods may be unreasonable.

3 Line 234, “28.6 23.5-%” should be checked.

4 the Amaranthus oil used for cosmetic formulation was not clearly pointed out, hydrogenated or unhydrogenated? Extracted by solvent or supercritical CO2?

5 The Amaranthus oil used for cosmetic formulation is only 2% or 1%, why not use more oil which can provide more biologically active compounds and squalene. Besides, the low content may did not affect the physical performance of formulations.

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

 

We thank you for your valauble comments which heled us to improve the manuscript.

The answers to the remarks are below.

 

best regards,

Some other comments as follows:

1 Line 162, the usage of Pt/C (250 mg per g) in catalyzing the hydrogenation of Amaranth oil is a little high.

Answer : the used conditions are based on studies already done in other conditions with other raw materials. Wehave added a references (a review).

 

2 Line 226, the linoleic acid content difference is two extraction method should be explained, in addition, the source of Amaranth oilseed affects the fatty acid content, but the oil extracted by solvent and supercritical CO2 may come from different places, so the comparison between the fatty acid and unsaponifiable composition by two extraction methods may be unreasonable.

Answer : Thank you so much for your comment. We have added L233-234 the following sentence « Neverthess, this observed results should be considered with caution because of the different origins of the two amaranths used in this study.

 

3 Line 234, “28.6 23.5-%” should be checked.

Answer : This was checked and corrected

 

4 the Amaranthus oil used for cosmetic formulation was not clearly pointed out, hydrogenated or unhydrogenated? Extracted by solvent or supercritical CO2?

Answer : Thank you for your valuable remarks. This was added L 179-180

 

5 The Amaranthus oil used for cosmetic formulation is only 2% or 1%, why not use more oil which can provide more biologically active compounds and squalene. Besides, the low content may did not affect the physical performance of formulations.

Answer : This is the first report and the used percentages were  inspired from previous studies. Moreover, this point was added in perspectives at the end of conclusion (L433-436).

Reviewer 2 Report

Bouchra Sayed-Ahmad et al. has investigated Amaranth Oilseed Composition and Cosmetic Applications.

Amaranth seeds are considered as one of the few sources of phytosqualene (up to 8%). The use of squalene and its hydrogenated form squalane in skincare formulations has been steadily increasing and the demand for these compounds is expected to rise continuously. In general, the manuscript contains relevant paragraphs that have been discussed. The selection of bibliography is appropriate to the content of the manuscript. In the conclusion, the authors have included short thoughts. Perhaps even too brief reflections.

 

Finally, regarding methodology, authors refer about statistics thus the readers can make assumptions regarding the quality and the confidence of the results and reasonability of consideration of the authors.

 

Please improve the quality and resolution of your drawings.

 Table 5 - statistical analysis was performed only for Peroxide index?

 Conclusion needs improving

 The literature needs to be improved.

Author Response

We thank for your judicious recommendations which allow us to improve the manuscript.

The answers to recommendations are presented below.

 

best regards,

 

Please improve the quality and resolution of your drawings.

Answer : figures were modified to increase (as possible the resolution)

 Table 5 - statistical analysis was performed only for Peroxide index?

Answer : thank you for this careful remark. This was added.

 

 Conclusion needs improving

Answer : Thank you for your remarks, the conclusion was modified deeply by reformulating sentes and adding perspectives at the end of conclusion (L433-436).

 

 The literature needs to be improved.

Answer : Recent review paper was added.

 

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

accept.