Purdue visiting scientist refines all-natural ingredients to preserve cosmetics

November 19, 2015  


Schafer ingredients

German Schäfer, a visiting scientist in Purdue University's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, examines all-natural extracts that could preserve personal-care products manufactured by the cosmetics industry. Schäfer is commercializing the ingredients through BioProcol, a Medellin, Colombia-based company he founded. (Purdue Research Foundation photo)
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., and MEDELLIN, Colombia - All-natural ingredients refined by a visiting scientist in Purdue University's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering (LORRE) show promise for next-generation products manufactured by the cosmetics industry.

German Schäfer said a current trend in the cosmetics and personal care industry is the use of all-natural ingredients instead of synthesized materials like parabens, which are commonly used preservatives. He is developing ingredients called Solanum Complex and Sopex that could replace synthetic antioxidants and parabens.

"These ingredients are derived from the extracts of superfruits of the Solanum plant species, which grow in particular ecosystems in the foothills of the Colombian Andes," he said. "Solanum Complex is a natural antioxidant that stimulates internal revitalization and regeneration of the skin. Sopex protects and stabilizes cosmetic and dermatologic formulations. Because of the high purity and bioactivity of these ingredients, only very low concentrations are needed to achieve their multifunctional benefits in cosmetics."

Solanum Complex and Sopex are being commercialized by BioProcol, based in Medellin, Colombia. Schäfer founded the company.

"BioProcol has developed a vertical-integrated operations system based on good agricultural practices, sustainability, social responsibility and benefits-sharing principles to propagate and harvest the raw materials," he said. "The bio-prospection, the organic horticulture and bio-processes are carried on under a multi-year contract with the Colombian government to research the Andean region's biodiversity and its genetic resources for its commercialization."

Michael Ladisch, director of LORRE, has worked with Schäfer to refine the ingredients.

"This is another example of how a renewable resource can fill a very special need and provide a value-added product that is difficult to obtain by other means," Ladisch said.

Schäfer is working with business experts at Purdue Foundry to evaluate the best path to introduce, transfer, distribute and commercialize BioProcol's products and technologies. Purdue Foundry is an entrepreneurship and commercialization hub in Discovery Park's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship on the Purdue campus.

"These ingredients are used in all beauty products of BioProcol's IDONA, an All-Natural Skin Care Luxury Brand," he said. "BioProcol's Industrial and Manufacturing business unit, which produces the special compounds, will sell them to other cosmetics manufacturers in the United States and Europe. We also may pursue other health and well-being applications as resources permit and after the growth of IDONA and this cosmetic natural ingredients business."

About BioProcol

Since 2004, BioProcol - Biodiverse Chemistry has done advanced research with plants to develop and produce unique natural ingredients from Colombian biodiversity in order to market them as high added value compounds for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and nutraceutical global industries. BioProcol's innovations are born from a harmonious encounter between nature and science, aiming for social and environmental sustainability and conservation.

The natural ingredients developed by the company are tested and validated with prestigious institutions worldwide to ensure maximum safety, effectiveness and satisfaction to our customers.

IDONA - Ideas of Nature is our blue ocean strategy worldwide initiative, to bring Colombian biodiversity to the world.

About Purdue Foundry

The Purdue Foundry is an entrepreneurship and commercialization hub in Discovery Park's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship whose professionals help Purdue innovators create startups. The Purdue Foundry is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2014 Incubator Network of the Year from the National Business Incubation Association for its work in entrepreneurship. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org

About Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering (LORRE)

The Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering was founded in 1978 as an interdisciplinary center to address conversion of cellulosic residues into fuel ethanol. LORRE's work has evolved to address the foundational science and engineering of transforming renewable resources to bioproducts in a sustainable manner. LORRE is defined through its research, while its impact is realized through the students and post-doctoral scholars from diverse disciplines who graduate from its programs. 

Sources: German Schäfer, 201-313-6573, gschafer@bioprocol.com

Michael Ladisch, 765-494-7022, ladisch@purdue.edu 

Writer: Steve Martin, 765-588-3342, sgmartin@prf.org 

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