USE OF SUGARCANE MOLASSES AS A RAW MATERIAL FOR COSMETIC PRODUCTS

• Grant number: 25/20440-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Alves da Rocha Filho
• Grantee: Camilla Vicente Werneck
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Multiple emulsions (MEs) are used as alternatives in skin care products due to their unique properties, such as: (a) the ability to encapsulate active ingredients; (b) protection of the encapsulated substance from oxidation; (c) the ability to encapsulate incompatible substances; and (d) sustained release. Their use in cosmetics depends on the formulation components, process parameters, and studies on safe and efficient release of the active ingredient. MEs can be prepared using a two-step process or a single emulsification process. The presence of liquid crystals (LCs) and their influence on the production of MEs will be investigated. Vegan surfactants will be used, and various vegetable oils from Brazilian biodiversity, such as avocado, coffee, coconut, sunflower, and sucupira, will be used as the oil phase. The influence of sugarcane molasses, plant extracts (rosemary, aloe vera), gums (arabic, tragacanth, and xanthan), and plant butters (cocoa, cupuaçu, mango, and ucuuba) on the formation of CL and multiple emulsions will also be studied. The dispersions will be developed using the one-step phase inversion method. In vitro evaluation of healing and sensory analysis of the developed formulations will be performed.