Deriving cosmetic ingredients from medicinal chamomile distillation by-products
Medicinal chamomile (Matricaria recutita). Image: IES
IES’s chemical laboratory’s analysis shows that herbal waste remaining from the medicinal chamomile essential oil distillation processes is a rich source of highly valuable bioactive compounds. IES’s scientists analysed medicinal chamomile essential oil extraction by-products provided by organic farming company SIA “Field and Forest”. Similar tests were done on SIA "Alternative Plants" company’s cosmetic production by-products from three plants - dragonhead (Dracocephalum), European gooseberry (Ribes) and Juniper (Juniperus).
IES’s leading researcher and manager of chemical analysis laboratory Dr. Ilva Nakurte describes the research results: “Our research hypothesis has been confirmed. By-products from medicinal chamomile distillation process are a valuable source of bioactive compounds. They have a great potential for production of natural and organic cosmetics. However, so far in the previous research these types of extracts are not described.”
IES’s leading researcher Dr. Ilva Nakurte.
On the 20th of May Dr. Ilva Nakurte presented first research results in the 15th International Scientific Conference Vital Nature Sign 2021. She introduced conference participants with the IES’s achievements in medicinal chamomile by-product research.
Research “A biorefinery approach for the development of bioactive cosmetic ingredients from by-products of medicinal plant processing and plant cell cultivation” (1.1.1.1/19/A/075) is developed as a part of the European Regional Development Fund programme 1.1.1.1 measure “Support for applied research” and specific objective 1.1.1 “Improve research and innovation capacity and the ability of Latvian research institutions to attract external funding, by investing in human capital and infrastructure”
More about the project here.