ASTM D4265-21 Artificial Sebum – Synthetic Sebum for Stain-Removal Testing BZ539
Product Code: BZ539
Manufacturer: Biochemazone
Available Pack Sizes: 100 mL, 200 mL, 500 mL, 1 L
Custom Bulk Quantities Available
Product Overview
Biochemazone ASTM D4265-21 Artificial Sebum BZ539 is a ready-to-use synthetic skin lipid system designed to replicate the composition and behaviour of human sebum. ASTM D4265, Standard Guide for Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home Laundering, lists artificial sebum among the soils used to stain test fabrics; BZ539 follows the current edition of the guide, D4265-21. It is a balanced mixture of fatty acids, triglycerides, wax esters, cholesterol derivatives and other lipid components that simulate natural skin-surface secretions.
Beyond laundry testing, BZ539 is used in cosmetic formulation and stability studies, in dermatological research on skin interaction, in the evaluation of sunscreens and skincare products, in testing the resistance of textiles and fabrics to contamination, in surface adhesion and fouling analysis, and in skin-contact compatibility testing of medical devices. Its viscosity and density are matched to natural sebum so that it spreads, adheres and forms a film as sebum does. The oil is pale yellow to off-white.
Unopened, BZ539 has a 1-year shelf life at 2–30 °C. Being an oil, it has no pH. For the earlier edition of the guide see D4265-14 Artificial Sebum BZ116 and BZ117; for skin-surface sebum see Human Synthetic Sebum BZ328.
Key Features & Benefits
✅ ASTM D4265-21 – Artificial sebum for stain-removal evaluation in home laundering
✅ Human Sebum Lipids – Fatty acids, triglycerides, wax esters and cholesterol derivatives
✅ 1-Year Shelf Life – Unopened at 2–30 °C; shipped at room temperature
✅ Ready to Use – No melting and blending of individual lipids before the test
✅ Reproducible & Standardized – Consistent batch-to-batch composition for routine QC and inter-laboratory comparison
✅ Made in Canada – Manufactured under ISO 9001 / GMP quality systems
Applications
🧼 Laundry & Stain Removal
• Staining of test fabrics for ASTM D4265
• Detergent and stain-remover performance
• Collar-and-cuff sebum soiling
🧴 Cosmetics & Skincare
• Formulation testing and stability studies
• Sunscreen and skincare product performance
• Cleanser efficacy on a sebum film
🧵 Textiles & Surfaces
• Contamination resistance of textiles and fabrics
• Surface adhesion and fouling analysis
• Touch-surface smudge tests
🩺 Dermatology & Devices
• Skin interaction studies
• Skin-contact compatibility of medical devices
• Material compatibility research
Typical Properties
- Appearance: Pale yellow to off-white oil
- Composition: Fatty acids, triglycerides, wax esters, cholesterol derivatives and other lipid components
- Physical properties: Viscosity and density matched to natural human sebum
- Standard: ASTM D4265-21 (Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home Laundering)
- Format: Ready to use
Storage, Shelf Life & Transportation
- Storage Temperature: 2–30 °C, protected from light
- Transportation: At room temperature
- Shelf Life: 1 year (unopened)
- After Opening: Close tightly after use, do not return unused material to the container; mix or warm gently if the lipids separate or solidify at low temperature
Customization Options
Customization available on request:
- Lipid ratio, wax content and cholesterol fraction
- Viscosity to match your method
- Custom pack sizes and bulk containers (5 L, 10 L and 25 L)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does BZ539 differ from BZ116 and BZ117?
BZ539 follows the current edition of the ASTM guide, D4265-21. BZ116 and BZ117 follow D4265-14. Order the edition your specification cites.
Does artificial sebum have a pH?
No. It is an oil without water, so pH does not apply. If your method combines the sebum with an aqueous phase, that phase can be adjusted to the pH you need.
Ordering Information
BZ539 is available in standard laboratory sizes or OEM/bulk supply formats.
📄 MSDS, Technical Datasheet, and Certificate of Analysis (CoA) available upon request
📧 Email: info@biochemazone.com
🌐 Website: www.biochemazone.com
⚠️ For research, education, and in vitro testing only. Not for human or animal use.
