Investigation, Production and Application of a Natural Antimicrobial Compound

During the last years an increasing demand in natural antimicrobial actives developed in order to ensure microbial stability in personal care products in the cosmetic field but also in different food and beverage applications. In fact, any product that contains water is susceptible to being spoiled by the growth of fungi, yeast and bacteria. That can cause problems such as discoloration and malodour leading to the breakdown of the product.

In Europe and particular in Germany major efforts are taken to discover and develop novel antimicrobials for the cosmetics. Alcohols, aldehydes, some isothiazolinones and the well-known sorbic- and benzoic acid derivatives, the so-called parabenes, are well known to be antimicrobial active. However, these compounds are connected to the occurrence of contact allergies and skin sensitisation and some have been even blamed to be carcinogenic, which hampers their application due to consumer uncertainty. Thus, different approaches have been performed to screen natural resources (e.g. plant or microbial extracts) for the discovery of antimicrobials from nature. However, their application in a final cosmetic product is often not feasible due to resupply issues and the lack of a sufficient enzymatic production process.

BRAIN has developed an antimicrobial compound from nature for its application in active cosmetic products. Key focus will be given on the development and optimization of the biotechnological non-GMO production process from lab-scale to industrial scale. Furthermore, the development as an active ingredient of personal care products will be highlighted.