Scientists, Beauticians Turn to Porridge and Weeds

Scientists turn to porridge and weeds for sustainable natural beauty products

If you want to have better, healthier skin, chances are in future you’ll be buying a product derived from the main ingredient for your porridge (oats), or an ancient grain-cum-purple weed called amaranth.

Scientists at AgResearch, working through The Biopolymer Network Ltd (BPN) owned by AgResearch, Plant & Food Research and Scion, have been working with great success on these two natural ingredients.

AgResearch’s Becky Macdonald, who leads the BPN’s Biopolymer Products research programme, says the moisturising and antioxidant properties of both, if properly processed, show they will make excellent skin and hair products. “We’re pretty excited about the properties of both amaranth and oats. With the right funding and partners, both should be on the shelves in the future alongside synthetic chemical products.”

“We’re aware that the search for bio-based materials for personal care applications is becoming more important due to a global move away from using non-renewable resources and environmentally damaging, chemical-based production methods,” said Becky Macdonald.

Becky and her team focus on extracting biopolymers from natural materials using eco-friendly methods as an alternative to synthetically derived molecules, with funding by The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology through the BPN.

Biopolymer Network Limited CEO Sarah Heine says BPN brings together biomaterials scientific excellence for commercially-driven, sustainable results. “With strong industry relationships and the unique ability to access more than 1500 researchers within AgResearch, Plant & Food Research and Scion, BPN provides a strong scientific base to create innovative products in the areas of bio-based polymers and bio-composites.”

Sarah Heine says BPN has already patented a water-based extraction technology and further research is focused on modifying resultant molecules to make them suitable for use in beauty products. “This is just one of many BPN projects currently underway, working towards building New Zealand a strong bio-based materials industry,” said Sarah Heine.

ENDS

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