A workshop on “The Development of Nanostructure Lipid Carrier from Sugarcane Wax for lipstick and nail polisher” was jointly hosted by NSTDA, NRCT, TRF, and NANOTEC at Sofitel Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. The aim of the workshop is to build awareness of the cosmetic industry to the utilization of nanotechnology to produce novel products from sugar waste such as lipstick and nail polishers which have cool soothing and moisturizer effect.
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.
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 to explore the economics of sugarcane wax. 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.
