Innovations remain to the fore

Active Concepts has a natural preservative called AC Leucidal which is based on harnessing the natural mechanisms used by plants and various microorganisms in protecting themselves from their environment. The company looked at the Leuconostoc bacteria trying to restrict competition by other microorganisms. Like many lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Leuconostoc spp. restricts microbial growth by acidifying its environment. The particular bacillus used was Leuconostoc kimchii. Like many organisms, Leuconostoc kimchii is not content to limit itself to one defensive option, but also produces a novel antimicrobial peptide. Using modern biotechnology Active Concepts isolated a peptide from a pure Leuconostoc kimchii culture and in combination with radish root produced an interesting alternative for natural preservation.

Mende-DEK in New Zealand has harnessed the power of recycled Podocarpus totara heartwood using critical CO2 extraction (pictured above). Totara can live for up to 1,000 years and totarol and its related compounds protect the tree from microbial attack. Totarol is a natural extract enriched in the aromatic diterpenoid, Totarol: C20H30O. It also contains other bioactives related in structure to Totarol. It has potent antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as possessing potent antioxidant properties. BioSpectrum was presenting MultiEx Naturotics as a natural preservative, which was based on a mixture of magnolia, propolis, thujopsis dolabrata, camellia, grapefruit, Roman chamomile and willow bark extracts. Used at 2% it was effective against a number of organisms.

Treatment for damaged hair
Ichimaru Pharcos had a ceramide derived from the Yuzu orange called Yuzu Ceramide B. The Yuzu orange is a traditional Japanese citrus fruit and offers innovation to the formulator. The material is also effective on damaged skin.