A seminar on “The Development of Nanostructure Lipid Carrier from Sugarcane Wax for Cosmetic Applications” was jointly hosted by NSTDA, NRCT, TRF, and NANOTEC at Dusit Thani Hotel in Pattaya, Thailand. The aim of the workshop is to build awareness of the local sugar industry to global environmental trends and also promote the industry interest in utilization of nanotechnology to produce novel products from sugar waste.
Thailand is the 2nd largest sugar exporter behind Brazil according to Statista. In 2013, Thailand export of sugar was 7 million metric tons. Each year large amounts of press mud are released by the sugarcane industry and the disposal of this by-product is a major issue. In many cases press mud is burnt in brick kilns resulting in the loss and wastage of millions of tonnes of nutrients through burning, which ultimately degrades the environment. One common use is as fertilizer, in unprocessed or processed form. Another option is to separate the sugarcane wax from the press mud.
With the global trend of health maintenance and nutrition products on the increase, the market for nutraceutical products are also on the rise and Thailand is one of the key markets as both producer and importer. Thai researchers are looking at ways to use nanotechnology to add value to the sugarcane wax and change it into a high-value nano-material for cosmetic industry and functional ingredients to nutraceutical products such as cool/soothing lipsticks and nail polishers.
“I am very happy to see the interest of the Thai sugarcane industry groups in research and development especially when it comes to utilization of waste materials from sugar production for value-added products” said Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, Executive Director of NANOTEC. “Our researchers are obligated to providing assistance to Thai private sector groups for the purpose of increasing economic competitiveness”.
In 2013, three NANOTEC researchers (Dr. Ubonthip Nimmannit, Dr. Kittiwut Kasemwong, and Dr. Apirada Sucontphunt) received a research fund from Thailand Research Fund (TRF) and National Research Council Thailand (NRCT) via the Strategic Basic Research Programme . The project was concluded in July 2013.
The research program compose of 2 research projects; 1. An Economic Analysis of Worthiness on Sugarcane Wax Production as Carriers for Delivery System of Bioactive Compounds (Dr. Kittiwut conducted the project as Project Investigator). 2. Product Development of Nanostructure Lipid Carrier from Sugarcane Wax for Application in Sunscreen and Moisture Nail Lotion (Dr. Apirada led this project).
“The aim of the research project was to use nanotechnology to add value to the Press Mud and change to the high-value nano-material for cosmetic industry and functional ingredients to nutraceutical products” said Dr. Ubonthip, Senior Researcher/Team Leader (Nano-cosmeceutical Lab) and Director of NANOTEC Development Unit.
Collaborators on the research included Kasetsart University, Thammasat University, Srinakharinwirot University and PTT Global Chemical Public Company.
