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A Natural Alternative to Synthetic Surfactants: The Workshop with Secreted
A Natural Alternative to Synthetic Surfactants: The Workshop with Secreted
On January 24th, we participated in a workshop dedicated to increasing consumer awareness of the effects deriving from the use of synthetic surfactants in our city, Verona. The two-day event put Sphera Encapsulation, with its encapsulation technologies, at the center of natural alternatives for integrating surfactants in the agrochemical, cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical sectors.
Synthetic surfactants: the Secreted report
During the workshop, we had the opportunity to discuss the areas of interest in the chemical sector and formulations in diversified markets with various researchers, companies, and consumers.
The workshop’s heart revolved around presenting the results of the European project Secreted, which has been working for years to promote natural biosurfactants derived from marine bacteria.
Secreted proposes developing new molecules with personalized properties through the combination of biosynthetic genes of amphiphilic compounds (biosurfactants and siderophores) produced by marine and extremophilic microorganisms.
Secreted: natural bio-surfactant encapsulation
Synthetic surfactants: a problem for the environment and health
Synthetic surfactants are constantly increasing in various sectors, including agrochemical, cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical, and detergent. Synthetic surfactants are used mainly in the latter industry to lower surface tension and create emulsions. However, their massive use poses sustainability problems as most of these products are derived from the petrochemical sector in the case of synthetics or the case of “Bio-based” surfactants from vegetable fats such as palm or coconut oil. Furthermore, using these compounds seems increasingly related to developing skin irritations, allergies, and unwanted effects.
Natural bio-surfactants: the sustainable and ethical solution
One of the best natural alternatives to synthetic surfactants are bio-surfactants made up of secondary metabolites produced mainly through:
– bacteria
– yeasts
– funghi
These can effectively respond to sustainability and safety problems for use as they are made up of natural molecules that are not foreign to the body, such as sugars and proteins.
The participation of Sphera Encapsulation as a representative in the field of natural bio-surfactant encapsulation
Among the 13 Partners involved in the project, Sphera Encapsulation tests the biosurfactants obtained as emulsifiers during different encapsulation processes.
As revealed during the workshop, the processing techniques and studies are bringing excellent results with mixtures of rhamnolipids obtained from Pseudomonas gessardii in encapsulation techniques such as spray drying, coacervation, and nano-encapsulation.
Sphera Encapsulation is committed to shaping the future of encapsulation.
Explore more:
- Discover Sphera Encapsulation’s encapsulation technologies here
- Discover all the latest in encapsulation in Verona here
Contact us today to explore how Sphera Encapsulation’s solutions can revolutionize the world of natural bio-surfactants.
For further information on Sphera Encapsulation’s services and technologies, fill out the form on this page to request more information.
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