Endophytes: what they are and their revolutionary use in natural cosmetics

Although endophytic micro-organisms were first described in the early 19th century, it is only in the last few decades that their potential as a source of bioactive compounds has come into focus.

As we learn more about endophytic relationships (where micro-organisms reside in plant tissues creating a symbiotic bond), fascinating insights into the complexity of ecosystems and the delicately balanced relationships within them emerge.

In turn, the dynamics of interchange in nature find an interesting parallel phenomenon in the interconnected Big Data network that technological advances are facilitating. This link between technology and nature based on symbiosis and balance is one of the most interesting developments that opens the door, among many other advances, to important innovations in the area of cosmetic science.

Precisely at this intersection of technology, nature and science, Provital’s Triplobiome™ initiative stands out, a pioneering biotech technology platform that enables for the first time the use of endophytes as a source for cosmetic ingredients.

The revolutionary potential of this innovation implies the development of more sustainable and responsible natural cosmetics, at a time of booming consumer demand.

Furthermore, this innovation lays the foundation for a real paradigm shift in the understanding of relationships in the plant kingdom, but also between plant and human. Let’s take a look at it.

What are endophytes?

Endophytes are micro-organisms that inhabit plant tissues and develop a symbiotic relationship with the host plant.

The symbiosis between endophytes (fungi and bacteria, among others) and plants is complex and diverse yet, broadly speaking, it works as follows: on the one hand, endophytes are able to provide various benefits to plants: from increasing their resistance to diseases, to improving their tolerance to environmental stress (drought, high temperatures, salinity…) or increasing nutrient absorption; on the other hand, the host plant provides a stable habitat and a source of nutrients for the endophytes.

Endophytes have been highlighted by their potential for sustainable agriculture and crop improvement, but also for the production of bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical and cosmetic potential.

At the heart of this potential lies the remarkable ability of endophytes to synthesise bioactive phytochemicals, making them an exceptional source for innovation in natural medicine and cosmetics.

Benefits of adding endophytes to cosmetic innovation

Over the past few years, we have seen the unstoppable rise of natural and sustainable cosmetics. In parallel to this, there is a growing awareness of the value of nature for our mental health. In short: a large number of studies confirm that experiences in nature are associated with psychological well-being. It is only in this context that one can understand the growing interest in botanical extracts or natural beauty products to relieve stress, among other trends.

Paradoxically, these trends coexist with a worrying deterioration of the environment and ecosystems in recent decades. This is exactly the reason why natural cosmetics must move towards sustainability and the conservation of biodiversity in ecosystems.

In this context, the use of endophytes for active ingredients within the framework of new green technologies and the microbial symbiosis approach proposed by Provital through the Triplobiome™ platform proves to be exceptional, since it provides a solution to the challenges that natural cosmetics have been facing for decades. Therefore, among the benefits of the responsible use of endophytes in cosmetics, the following stand out:

• Conservation of the host plant environment in nature
• Full traceability of the raw material
• Eco-responsible and biotechnological method of production
• Lab grown and sustainable origin (no chemicals, including fertilisers or pesticides)
• No genetic modification
• Reduced water consumption during the extraction process
  

How to incorporate endophytes into sustainable natural cosmetics: Introducing Triplobiome™

Triplobiome™ is the innovative biotechnology platform developed by Provital for the use of plant endophytes in new active ingredients of natural origin.

In line with Provital’s ‘Do Care’ values and consumer trends in natural cosmetics, this platform enables the creation of a range of natural active ingredients that take the ‘greening’ of the cosmetics industry to the next level.

To this end, this platform achieves symbiotic synergies never seen before in the development of cosmetic ingredients, generating ecosystem ingredients capable of activating the skin’s intelligence.

We thus rely on the ability of endophytes to synthesise bioactive phytochemicals to generate a viable alternative for the production of active ingredients that prevents the overexploitation of host plants. This therefore represents a fundamental step towards a natural cosmetic that places environmental protection at the heart, avoiding the overexploitation of plant biomass that is currently needed to obtain active compounds for the industry.

Triplobiome™ Technology makes it possible to isolate a group of endophytic strains of interest and screen them for bioactivities in order to select the best candidates for further development.

The first of the Triplobiome™ Technology developments is Shiloxome™, a 100% traceable, eco-responsible cosmetic active ingredient of biotechnological origin. Based on the endophytic yeast Kwoniella mangroviensis from inside the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), it activates the power of symbiosis for the protection of the lipid barrier in the skin.The Triplobiome™ platform is an exciting breakthrough for Provital, but also for biotech and eco-responsible cosmetic science in general, showing that it is possible to evolve towards a cosmetics industry that sets higher standards in terms of quality and sustainability.