Research and development of miniemulsions using bioactive extracts of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) bagasse for use in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry

Abstract

This project will be conducted by Rubian Xtract Ltd. The company is incubated at INOVA/ UNICAMP (Campinas University) and associated at Technology-Based Enterprises Incubator from "Luiz de Queiroz" Agriculture Superior School of Sao Paolo University (ESALQTEC). The research aims to develop miniemulsions from passion fruit bagasse extracts (Passiflora edullis) in order to investigate the performance of these miniemulsions as cellular anti-aging agents. The extracts will be produced by clean techniques, as the technologies are based on supercritical carbon dioxide and pressurized liquid (ethanol and water). The non-polar and polar compounds will be obtained by sequential extraction to achieve the active ingredients to be studied. Non-polar passion fruit bagasse extract - which contains fatty acids, tocotrienols, and carotenoids - will be used to compose the oil phase of the miniemulsions. The polar passion fruit bagasse extract, rich in phenolic ingredients, will be used to compose the water phase. Water in oil miniemulsions will be produced. The extracts will be characterized regarding the fatty acid profile, amount of tocotrienols, amount of total phenolic compounds, amount of piceatannol and ORAC and TBARS assays. The extracts will also be submitted to cytotoxicity assays. The miniemulsions will be evaluated regarding the creaming index, droplet diameter, and optical microscopy. The miniemusions will also be analyzed by ORAC and TBARS assays. Tests of inhibition of elastase and collagenase, total cell renewal and collagen synthesis will be also performed. It is expected that the miniemulsions should present superior performance in comparison to pure extracts in the tested attributes as well. It is anticipated that the miniemulsions composed by passion fruit extracts are an excellent anti-aging cellular agent, so that may be adopted as an ingredient in cosmetic and pharmaceuticals products. (AU)