Green synthesis of sustainable BIO-sourced multi-functional ingredient for skin CARE applications

Descripción del proyecto

Cómo el proceso kraft puede ser bueno para la piel

Desde el kohl que utilizaban los antiguos egipcios para oscurecer los párpados hasta los innumerables productos de cuidado personal que componen la actual industria de los cosméticos y el cuidado personal, existe la preocupación por el impacto ambiental y el riesgo para la salud humana relacionados con el uso de ingredientes químicos. En el proyecto BIO4CARE, financiado con fondos europeos, se analizará la alternativa natural: la lignina. Generada como un subproducto infravalorado de las operaciones del pulpeo kraft, la lignina kraft podría convertirse en un ingrediente multifuncional para fabricar una nueva solución competitiva de base biológica para la fotoprotección de la piel. Además, a través de las actividades de las Acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie del proyecto, el investigador alcanzará la madurez profesional y la independencia.

Objetivo

Nowadays, cosmetics and personal care products are considered essential commodities of our life. However, the growing concern about the environmental impact and human health risk related to the excessive use of chemical ingredients in skin care formulations calls for the exploration of safe and sustainable natural alternatives. The diverse functional and bioactive properties of lignin make it worthwhile to be considered for cosmetic applications. Moreover, lignin is generated as an undervalued by-product from kraft-pulping operations, the most widespread method for pulp manufacture worldwide. The BIO4CARE project tackles challenging concepts with innovative solutions to develop an efficient lignin-based multi-functional ingredient with understood and controlled properties from kraft lignin for skin care formulations. To the best knowledge of the Experienced Researcher (ER), no prior research on using kraft lignin as a multi-functional ingredient to manufacture a novel and bio-based competitive solution for skin photo-protection has been reported. The BIO4CARE project comprises multi-disciplinary tasks and addresses different research areas such as analytical and applied chemistry as well as physics and biology to achieve the specific objectives of the project. The main objectives of the project are production of homogeneous lignin nanoparticles (LNP) by a sustainable and efficient method, optimization and understanding of nanostructure-properties relationships using powerful analytical tools, manufacture of high-quality Pickering emulsions with LNP and assessment of multi-functionality and toxicological profile of LNP. In addition, through MSCA program activities, the ER will gain research and scientific skills and acquire a new set of competences to reach professional maturity and independence after the fellowship by building a solid research and industrial network, organizing events, mentoring young researchers and managing projects.