Zymes develops nano soluble Omega-3 fats for cosmetics

Ubisol Aqua is said to provide a 'superior platform' for solubizing omega-3 fatty acids and other water-insoluble lipophilic compounds for a host of personal care applications, as well as the food, beverage and pharmaceutical applications.

Omega-3 has been shown to provide essential oils to both the skin and the hair, helping to maintain both in optimium health, as well as preventing signs of aging.

However, because of the dense composition of the oil, it can sometimes prove difficult to formulate with other ingredients.

As well as improved solubilitiy, the technology is said to provide enhanced bioavailability and particle size reduction to the nanometer level, providing added opportunities for companies wishing to supplement products with natural functional ingredients.

The company says that Ubisol-Aqua uses nanotechnology and complexation to reformulate and improve solubility of drugs, nutrient and cosmetic ingredients that are water-insoluble and therefore difficult for the human body to absorb.

The use of nanotechnology means that Zymes has managed to develop an omega-3 fatty acid with an average particle size of 34 nanometers, a fact that means these much smaller particles can be more easily absorbed, both into the actual formulation and the skin or hair shaft of the user.

Benjamin Mamola, co-founder and executive vice president of Global Business Development at Zymes said that the technology would help the company to break into new markets and segments on a global basis.

"We believe the technology will greatly enhance the health benefits of these products to consumers," he said.