Background

The market for new, natural and bioactive ingredients in cosmetics is very large and increasing. Many natural substances have bioactive properties such as preserving, healing, anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant or emollient effects. Particularly appealing are ingredients derived from the biomass valorization, with attention to agri-food waste and algal biomass. These biomasses are -rich in high value-added components, including essential oils, polyphenolic compounds, edible oils, pigments, dietary fibers, enzymes, etc. Polyphenols have gained a great attention due to their multiple beneficial effects on human health, such as antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, as well as chemoprotective potency. For this reason, there have been to date many studies pertaining to the exploitation of polyphenol-bearing by-products and wastes.

The idea is not only to obtain functional molecules from agri-food waste but to use this and other waste deriving from extraction processes to prepare high added value raw materials, such as: nanoparticles, biopolymers or activated carbon. The final goal is to exploit the waste 360‑degrees, to maximize sustainability from every point of view.

With the aim to formulate hi-tech anti-age cosmetics by using biomass extracts as functional ingredients, Ca’ Foscari research group focuses on agri-food wastes and in particular on black tea (Ceylon Orange) processing by products, on local marine algae (algae of venetian lagoon), on hazelnut shells and on artichoke wastes. In particular, Artichoke residues are used to used to optimize a cosmetic line for hair care.

Technology Overview

The approach is based on the synergy of a series of integrated technologies able to enhance all the parts of an agri-food biomass for broad-spectrum hi-tech applications (in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizer industry, packaging, etc.). In order to maximize the sustainability and efficiency of the process, all steps are optimized using innovative, safe and time-energy saving approaches. Some examples of the used technologies are:

Innovative extraction techniques (Ultrasound and Microwave) for the extraction of phytocomplexes
Pyrolysis for the transformation of extraction waste into bio-char and bio-oil
Green formulation of nanoparticles and nanoporous carriers through the use of phytocomplexes (obtained from biomass upgrade). For the proposed therapeutic uses, these peptides showed low toxicity, tunable half-life and can be formulated in pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration.

The technology has already been used to develop, through a 100% sustainable approach, a complete line for hair care (in the form of solid shampoo, serum and hair mask) in which the phytometabolites extracted from dried artichoke wastes and hazelnuts are used both as active ingredients and texturizing, stabilizer and penetration booster.The polyphenols extracted can be used for the formulation of sunscreens. Last but not least, the waste resulting from this process is converted into active carbons, an important material which finds plenty of applications such as anti-smog masks, green cement and concrete, anodes for batteries, solar panels and even jewels.

Further Details

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13443; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313443

Benefits

Enhancement of the excellence of the territory
Reduction of waste and waste disposal of the agri-food supply chain
Establishment of virtuous partnerships between academia and business
Increase in the competitiveness of the cosmetics sector and in general of the manufacturing industry

Applications

Cosmetics
Pharmaceuticals
Fertilizer industry
Packaging

Opportunity

Open to collaborative projects to further develop the technology and/or licensing.

Collaboration between academia and business
Establishment of partnerships between the primary secondary and tertiary sectors
Increased competitiveness in participation a competitive calls and founding raising

Hi Tech Applications of Agrifood Waste in the Cosmetic and Nutraceutical Fields

IP Status

Seeking