Extraction, Development and Optimization of a Lipid-Soluble, Plant-Based Pigment for Cosmetic Use

植物及其组成部分（根、叶、果实和花等）拥有各种色彩鲜艳的抗氧化颜料，非常适合用于天然化妆品，在使用时可提供颜色和抗氧化效果。然而，由于这些颜料仅是水溶性的，因此在基于脂肪和油的化妆品制剂中使用这些化合物会产生问题。Huna Natural Apothecary，Inc.一家位于马尼托巴的护肤品和化妆品公司在其产品系列中使用有机植物成分，看到了植物色素的潜力，并启动了一个项目，提取、纯化和亲脂化甜菜根色素，用于化妆品。由于大多数彩色化妆品的色素来自粉碎的矿物质、昆虫和/或合成染料，因此仅从亲脂植物色素中获得颜色的有机、纯素和无矿物质化妆品不仅更安全，而且还吸引了广泛的健康和环保意识的消费者。该项目在Peter Jones博士的监督下，旨在优化甜菜色素的提取、亲脂化和生产，以获得可靠的提取工艺和适用于化妆品的高质量、稳定的产品。Huna打算与Jones博士和Richardson功能食品中心合作，利用这种提取色素开发的专业知识，制定一个充满活力的化妆品新系列。Huna将成为第一家在天然化妆品中使用纯植物色素作为着色剂的加拿大公司，进一步推动消费者对其品牌和业务的兴趣。

Plants and their components (roots, leaves, fruits, and flowers, etc.) possess a wide range of vibrantly coloured antioxidative pigments that are ideal for use in natural cosmetics, which provide both colour and antioxidative effects when applied. However, as these pigments are only water-soluble, a problem arises from utilising these compounds in fat- and oil-based cosmetic formulations. Huna Natural Apothecary, Inc., a Manitoba-based skincare and cosmetic company utilising organic botanical ingredients in their range of products, has seen the potential of plant pigments and has initiated a project to extract, purify and lipophilize beetroot pigments for their use in cosmetics. As most coloured cosmetics derive their pigments from crushed minerals, insects, and/or synthetic dyes, organic, vegan, and mineral-free cosmetics that derive their colour solely from lipophilized plant pigments would not only be safer but also appeal to a wide range of health- and environmentally-conscious consumers. This project, under supervision of Dr. Peter Jones, aims to optimize the extraction, lipophilization and production of beet-derived pigments to result in a reliable extraction process and a high quality, stable product suitable for cosmetic use. Huna intends to work with Dr. Jones and the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods to leverage expertise in the development of this extracted pigment to formulate a new line of vibrant cosmetics. Huna will be the first Canadian company to use pure plant pigments as colourants in natural cosmetic products, further propelling consumer interest in their brand and business.