Formulations of protective cosmetic products obtained by applying integrated and sustainable bioeconomy approaches

BioProtect

PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-0273

(644PED/2022)

Chronic exposure of human skin to solar UV radiation is widely recognized as the key factor responsible for photo-ageing. For these reasons, the role of photoprotection is critical to avoid skin cancer and others undesired effects.

Project goal

The goal of the project BioProtect is to propose the use of nanomaterials both as active ingredient and delivery system of bioactive compounds (mixtures of phenolic compounds – rutin and quercitin) recovered from grape by-products for development of UV blocking cosmetic products.

Contracting authority: Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI)

Implementation period: 21/06/2022-20/06/2024

Budget: 598.795 lei

Project director: Dr. Habil. Irina Fierăscu

  • Consortium
  • General objective
  • Phase I
  • Phase II
  • Phase III
  • Results & dissemination
  • Phase reports
Consortium

Coordinator:

National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry – ICECHIM Bucharest

Project director: Dr. Habil. Irina Fierăscu

Partner:

University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest,

Partner responsible: Dr. Eng. Aurelian Cristian Boscornea


General objective

The BioProtect project proposes the use of nanomaterials both as active ingredient and delivery system of bioactive compounds (mixtures of phenolic compounds – rutin and quercitin) recovered from grape by-products for development of UV blocking cosmetic products. Target molecules obtained through green technologies from grapes by-products can be used as potential active UV blockers in cosmetic formulations being delivered by apatitic materials.

Phase I

Development of synthesis methods for the delivery system and adaptation of extraction methods for grape by-products.

Implementation period: 21/06/2022 – 31/12/2022

Activities:

  • Development of synthesis and characterization protocols for the active delivery system;
  • Assessment of potential grape waste with increased amounts of bioactive compounds;
  • Isolation and purification of the target compounds from the extracts obtained;
  • Evaluation of the possibilities of using the compounds obtained in cosmetic formulations;
  • Results and project dissemination.
Phase II

Development of the technology for obtaining sunscreen formulations with active delivery system and natural compounds.

Implementation period: 01/01/2023 – 31/12/2023

Activities:

  • Evaluation of UV Blocker properties for active delivery systems;
  • Evaluation of UV Blocker properties for natural compounds;
  • Evaluation of UV Blocker properties for active delivery systems – natural compounds;
  • Formulation and testing of sun protection systems;
  • Results and project dissemination.
Phase III

Demonstration and validation of the proposed solutions

Implementation period: 01/01/2024 – 20/06/2024

Activities:

  • Demonstration of the effectiveness of the proposed formulations;
  • Evaluation of results on a laboratory scale – making corrections and process improvements;
  • Validation of laboratory technology by third parties;
  • Development of technical documentation for the technology of obtaining cosmetic formulations and filing a patent application;
  • Results and project dissemination.
Results & dissemination

Published papers

  1. Vizitiu, D.E.; Sardarescu, D.I.; Fierascu, I.; Fierascu, R.C.; Soare, L.C.; Ungureanu, C.; Buciumeanu, E.C.; Guta, I.C.; Pandelea, L.M. Grapevine Plants Management Using Natural Extracts and Phytosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles. Materials 202215, 8188. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15228188

Scientific meetings

  1. IDEA (IDEA, Novelty, Invention and craft) International Exhibition, Abony, Hungary – Formulations of protective cosmetic products obtained by applying integrated and sustainable bioeconomy approaches (BioProtect), Irina Fierascu, Cristian Boscornea, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi (Gold medal)
  2. International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations “TRAIAN VUIA – 2022 Timisoara – Formulations of protective cosmetic products obtained by applying integrated and sustainable bioeconomy approaches (BioProtect), Irina Fierascu, Cristian Boscornea, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi (Gold medal)
  3. 7th International Inventions Fair – ISIF’22 – Formulations of protective cosmetic products obtained by applying integrated and sustainable bioeconomy approaches (BioProtect), Irina Fierascu, Cristian Boscornea, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi (Silver medal)
  4. The International Symposium “priorities of chemistry for a sustainable development” PRIOCHEM – XVIII-th Edition. October 26-28, 2022, Anda Maria Baroi, Cristian Boscornea, Roxana Ioana Matei (Brazdis), Irina Fierascu, Toma Fistos, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, New cosmetic formulations obtained by applying integrated and sustainable bioeconomy approaches – BioProtect project
  5. 22nd Romanian International Conference on Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sinaia, ROMANIA – September 7 – 9, 2022, Agro-wastes – Opportunities and Perspectives in Development of a New Generation of Materials for Multidisciplinary Approaches, Anda Maria Baroi, Roxana Ioana Matei, Fistos Toma, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Lia Mara Ditu, Sorin Avramescu, Raluca Somoghi, Irina Fierascu
  6. Physics of Materials – PM 7 2022, At the Frontier Between Materials Science and Biotechnology: Nanomaterials Phytosynthesis, I. Fierascu, R.C. Fierascu, A.M. Baroi, R.I. Matei (Brazdis), T. Fistos, I.C. Fierascu, I. Chican, I.S. Hosu (Invited lecture)

Institutional & individual awards

Phase reports
Phase 1

Development of synthesis methods for the delivery system and adaptation of extraction methods for grape by-products

Summary

The grape industry, especially the wine industry, generates nutrient-rich by-products that are underutilized and often end up polluting the environment. After the extraction of grape juice, the remaining materials are currently not valued as highly profitable waste, being mainly dumped in open spaces, thus causing environmental problems.

In this context, the general objective of the project “Formulation of protective cosmetic products obtained by applying integrated and sustainable strategies of the bioeconomy – BIOProtect” is to propose the use of nanomaterials both as an active ingredient and as a system of delivery of bioactive compounds recovered from the by-products of the grape industry, for the development of cosmetic products, the target molecules obtained through green technologies being used as potential active UV blockers in cosmetic formulations that are “transported” by means of substituted hydroxyapatite.

The activities planned to be carried out by the partners during the first year of implementation were:

  • Act 1.1 – Development of synthesis and characterization protocols for the active delivery system;
  • Act 1.2 – Evaluation of potential grape waste with increased amounts of bioactive compounds;
  • Act 1.3 – Isolation and purification of the target compounds from the obtained extracts;
  • Act 1.4 – Evaluation of the possibilities of using the compounds obtained in cosmetic formulations;
  • Act 1.5 Dissemination activities.

The deliverables assumed by the financing contract for Phase 1 of the project were completed in full, as follows:

  • Synthesis and characterization protocols for the delivery system – obtaining and characterization;
  • Reports on grape waste extracts;
  • Report on isolation and purification of target compounds;
  • Report on the preliminary assessment of the possibilities of obtaining sunscreen formulations

The obtained results were disseminated within the scientific community (1 paper published in Q1/Q2 ISI journal, 3 participations in international conferences, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions of invention and innovation), the dissemination results being widely presented on the project website (Romanian version – https://icechim.ro/project/bioprotect_ro/, English version – https://icechim.ro/project/bioprotect_en/); the project was also promoted through the newsletter weekly of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization (https://research.gov.ro/uploads/comunicare/buletin-informativ/2022/buletin-informativ-mcid-nr-43.pdf).

The proposed activities were carried out in full, supporting the continuation of the project in 2023.

Phase 2
Phase 3