By Stephen Beech via SWNS
The first consumer product made in Britain using a revolutionary new biotech process that reduces energy use by 94% has gone on sale.
Known as Skin, the food supplement has been made by Edinburgh-based Green Bioactives using ground-breaking Plant Cell Culture technology.
The process cuts energy use by up to 94.3% and reduces global warming potential by 93.8% compared to traditional methods of extracting plant-based ingredients, according to new research.
The study was conducted by scientists at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, and published in the journal Sustainability.
The bio-manufacturing technology also reduces use of pesticides, fertilizers, and water consumption.
Green Bioactives, which employs around 16 people – mostly in its high-tech lab, is now working on several other products using the cutting-edge bio-manufacturing Plant Cell Culture technology.
These include a licorice-based skin brightening cream and a range of cosmetics.
Green Bioactives bosses say Plant Cell Culture offers a “promising” solution to producing natural ingredients in an eco-friendly manner.
Unlike traditional farming, which can take years and requires extensive resources, it utilizes biological systems to replicate or enhance the production of valuable plant-derived chemicals and materials.
Skin harnesses the power of echinacea, known for its skin health benefits.
It takes two years to grow enough echinacea to yield one kilo of extract per hectare, using traditional farming methods.
But the new process boosts the concentration of beneficial molecules, leading to more potent and effective products.
Skin has been shown to enhance collagen III production, improving skin firmness and structure.
David McElroy, CEO of Green Bioactives, said: “Customers are increasingly seeking sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective sources of plant-derived ingredients.
“The life cycle impact analysis we conducted with Robert Gordon University further validates the sustainability of our plant cell culture-based bio-manufacturing platform.”
He added: “It’s a milestone for us, demonstrating that we can meet both the environmental and commercial needs of our customers.”
Study leader Dr. Gbenga Oluyemi, of Robert Gordon University, said: “This project demonstrates how universities can help businesses achieve strategic goals while generating significant environmental and social impacts.
“The life cycle assessment we developed allows Green Bioactives to monitor and reduce emissions in real-time, offering crucial insights for process improvement and stakeholder engagement.”
It is believed that in the long term bio-manufacturing could revolutionize the production of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Andrew Durkie, a partner at Eos Advisory – a key investor in Green Bioactives, said: “We invest in science and technology that improves lives, and Green Bioactives’ plant cell culture technology is a perfect example.”
He added: “Their life-cycle analysis shows the tremendous environmental benefits this technology can offer, and we are excited about the future potential of their products.”
Skin, which comes in pots of 30 capsules, is available to buy online.
