Sarcosine

Cosmetic ingredients (Cocoyl Sarcosine) -> CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review)

Cleansing; Surfactant; Skin conditioning

Personal care product

greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 61 °F (NTP, 1992)

300.0 mg/mL

5.6 [ug/mL] (The mean of the results at pH 7.4)

406 °F (Decomposes) (NTP, 1992)

208 °C

Deliquescent crystals or powder. Has a sweetish taste. (NTP, 1992)

Deliquescent solid; [Merck Index] Cream-colored hygroscopic solid; [NTP] White odorless crystalline powder; Hygroscopic; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]

Solid

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 98.7% (149 of 151) of all reports.

Not Classified

Aggregated GHS information provided per 151 reports by companies from 3 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.

Chemical: Glycine, N-methyl-

Status: Active Update: 20-12-2016 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/18702

Glycine, N-methyl-: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

SARCOSINE is an amide. Amides/imides react with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases. Flammable gases are formed by the reaction of organic amides/imides with strong reducing agents. Amides are very weak bases (weaker than water). Imides are less basic yet and in fact react with strong bases to form salts. That is, they can react as acids. Mixing amides with dehydrating agents such as P2O5 or SOCl2 generates the corresponding nitrile. The combustion of these compounds generates mixed oxides of nitrogen (NOx). This chemical is incompatible with acids. (NTP, 1992).

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

RECOMMENDED RESPIRATOR: Where the neat test chemical is weighed and diluted, wear a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with an organic vapor/acid gas cartridge (specific for organic vapors, HCl, acid gas and SO2) with a dust/mist filter. (NTP, 1992)

Acute Exposure: EYES: irrigate opened eyes for several minutes under running water. INGESTION: do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water (never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person). Seek immediate medical advice. SKIN: should be treated immediately by rinsing the affected parts in cold running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by thorough washing with soap and water. If necessary, the person should shower and change contaminated clothing and shoes, and then must seek medical attention. INHALATION: supply fresh air. If required provide artificial respiration.

Acyl sarcosines may cause irritation to the skin and eyes. They may also react to produce N-nitrososarcosine, which is believed to be carcinogenic. (A2881)

Acute Exposure: Can lead to eye and skin irritation. Chronic Exposure: High levels of sarcosine in prostate tissues are associated with aggressive prostate tumors. In this regard, sarcosine appears to function as an oncometabolite. High levels of sarcosine are also seen in patients with sarcosinemia. Sarcosinemia is a rare inborn error of metabolism that is characterized by an increased level of sarcosine (N-methylglycine) in the plasma and urine. The enzymatic block results from a deficiency of sarcosine dehydrogenase (SarDH), a liver mitochondrial matrix enzyme that converts sarcosine into glycine. The disease is mostly characterized by mental delay, cardiomyopathy, deafness and visual disturbance.

Oral (A2881) ; inhalation (A2881) ; dermal (A2881)

Endogenous, Eye contact, Ingestion.

The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the following ingredients are safe as used in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating. The Expert Panel cautions that these ingredients should not be used in cosmetic products in which N-nitroso compounds can be found...Cocoyl Sarcosine...

Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications

While acyl sarcosines themselves are not toxic, they are nitrosating agents. Nitrosating agents may decompose and/or react to cause nitrosamine contamination. Nitrosamines are produced from secondary amines and amides in the presence of nitrite ions and are believed to be carcinogenic. The particular nitrosamine produced by acyl sarcosines is N-nitrososarcosine. Once in the body, nitrosamines are activated by cytochrome P-450 enzymes. They are then believed to induce their carcinogenic effects by forming DNA adducts at the N- and O-atoms. (L1889, L1890, A2878, A2879, A2880, A2881)

Sarcosine is an oncometabolite. Sarcosine appears to upregulate the expression of the potent oncoprotein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells upon exposure to exogenous sarcosine. Thus, sarcosine may induce prostate cancer progression by increased HER2/neu expression.

Acyl sarcosines may cause irritation to the skin and eyes. (A2881)

Acute Exposure: eye irritation and skin irritation Chronic Exposure: sarcosinemia is associated with mental delay, cardiomyopathy, deafness and visual disturbance. In individuals with prostate cancer, high prostate tissue levels of sarcosine promote aggressive, rapidly growing prostate tumors.

No indication of carcinogenicity (not listed by IARC). (L135)

Not listed by IARC. Has been implicated in oncogenesis (A15089).

LD50: 2.1 g/kg (Oral, Mouse) (A2881)

NA

Acyl sarcosines can be absorbed following oral or dermal contact, while nitrosamines can enter the body via ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact. Once in the body, nitrosamines are metabolized by cytochrome P-450 enzymes, which essentially activates them into carcinogens. Sarcosine is metabolized to glycine by the enzyme sarcosine dehydrogenase. (A2878, A2879, L1892)

Sarcosine is metabolized to glycine by the enzyme sarcosine dehydrogenase, while glycine-N-methyl transferase generates sarcosine from glycine.

CIR ingredient: Cocoyl Sarcosine

Used as an intermediate in synthesis of toothpaste antienzyme agents; [Merck Index] An amino acid intermediate in the metabolism of choline. [ChemIDplus] Used to make antienzyme agents for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals; [NTP]

Acyl sarcosines are used as hair-conditioning agents and surfactant-cleansing agents in cosmetics, as well as to improve wetting and penetration of topical pharmaceutical products. Acyl sarcosines and their sodium salts are also used in the metal finishing and processing industries for their crystal modifying, anti-rust, and anti-corrosion properties. (A2881)

Sarcosine can be used as a cognitive enhancer and to treat schizophrenia.