Nexus - 1205 - New Times Magazine-pages

Page Content (OCR)

claims that its nanocochleates can deliver omega-3 fatty acids to intercellular delivery systems that penetrate the skin and then cakes, muffins, pasta, soups and cookies without altering the pro- release vitamin E. According to L'Oréal: "Given that the inter- duct's taste or odour.** No products containing the nanocochleate stices of the outer layer of skin measure about 100 nanometres, delivery system are currently on the market, but the company nanovectors offer the best solution to the problem of transporting actively seeks to license its technology. and concentrating active ingredients in the skin."*" "We have some [food] companies that are clearly enthusiastic," Cosmetics containing invisible nanoparticles have not escaped said Raphael Mannino, chief scientific officer of BDSI.*° _ notice in recent European reports on potential risks associated Mannino told ETC Group that it is not yet clear what regulatory with manufactured nanoparticles. A Royal Society (UK) report hurdles his company's nano-scale nutrient delivery system would __ released in July 2004 notes the dearth of toxicological data on need to clear before commercialisation. "Nobody is really sure manufactured nanoparticles.”* Because these are used in some yet,” said Mannino.”” Before it becomes a commercial reality, cosmetics and sunscreens, the report recommends that further BDSI must achieve large-scale manufacture of the nanoen- studies be done into skin penetration by manufactured nanoparti- cochleation technology. Under the most optimistic scenario, cles and that toxicological studies conducted by industry be Mannino said that "we could be in food in one year". placed in the public domain—no doubt causing some wrinkles for ¢ With funding from the USDA, LNK Chemsolutions is L'Oréal. developing nano-scale capsules of edible polymers to prevent the Food and cosmetics companies are now collaborating to flavour and aroma of food molecules from degrading. The goal is develop "cosmetic nutritional supplements". L'Oréal and Nestlé to increase the shelf life of sensitive food products, but the recently formed Laboratoires Innéov, a 50/50 joint venture. company declines to reveal which ones.** LNK Chemsolutions Innéov's first product, called "Innéov Firmness", contains was founded by Dr Gustavo Larsen, a professor of chemical lycopene. The supplement is taken orally and is marketed to engineering at the University of Nebraska. women over forty who are concerned about lost skin elasticity.“ ¢ Other companies are working on using nano-scale technolo- Shortly after Nestlé cemented its collaboration with L'Oréal, gies to create "interactive foods" that operate using "on-demand" Procter & Gamble and Olay announced they would be creating delivery. The idea is that the con- sumer will be able to choose—based on her individual aesthetics, nutri- tional needs or flavour preferences of the moment—which components | Eating is just one way to deliver will be activated and then delivered active ingredients. Paris-based and which won't be. Kraft's NanoteK consortium scien- L'Oréal, the world's leading tists are developing nanocapsules cosmetics firm, already markets whose walls burst at different microwave frequencies so the con- skin care products containing sumer can switch on new tastes or nano-scale particles. colours. Countless nanocapsules would remain dormant and only the desired ones would be called into two lines of nutritional supplements together—one for "Beauty" and one for "Wellness" While these particular supplements are not advertised as using nano-scale technologies, it is difficult to be sure since there are no_ labelling requirements. In any case, the foo and cosmetic alliances illustrate the tendency to blur boundaries between food, medicine and cosmetics, a tren that nanotech will likely accelerate. oo Author's Note: ETC Group gratefully acknowledges action. Kraft is also working on sen- inancial support of the Internationa sors that will be able to detect an indi- Development Research Centre, vidual's nutritional deficiencies and then respond with smart foods Canada, for our research on nano-scale technologies. We are that release molecules of the needed nutrients.” grateful for additional support from SwedBio (Sweden), the CS Early next year, food scientists will meet to discuss nano-scale Fund (USA), the Educational Foundation of America (USA), the and micro-scale approaches for controlled release and nutrient — /MG Foundation (UK) and the Lillian Goldman Charitable Trus absorption in foods—at the first International Symposium on the (USA). The views expressed in this document, however, are "Delivery of Functionality in Complex Food Systems: Physically __ those of the ETC Group. Inspired Approaches from Nano-scale to Micro-scale", at the Nestlé Research Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland.2”” About the Author: In addition to aiding nutrient delivery, nanoparticles may be ETC Group (formerly RAFI) is an action group on erosion, tech- used in foods to alter other properties. For example, margarine, _ nology and concentration. Publications, including the full text, ice cream, butter and mayonnaise all belong to a class of foods recommendations and annexes of Down on the Farm: The known as "colloids", where small particles are dispersed in some Impact of Nano-scale Technologies on Food and Agriculture, other medium—liquid, gas or solid. Unilever, Nestlé and others can be downloaded free of charge from the website, are conducting research and already hold patents on new ways to _http://www.etcgroup.org, and are available in hardcopy from: make colloids using nanoparticles that will extend shelf life, ETC Group, 431 Gilmour Street, Second Floor, Ottawa, ON, prolong flavour sensation in the mouth, alter texture and improve | Canada K2P ORS, telephone +1 (613) 241 2267, fax +1 (613) 241 stability. (See annex 2.) 2506, email etc@etcgroup.org. Eating is just one way to deliver active ingredients. Paris-based L'Oréal, the world's leading cosmetics firm, already markets skin care products containing About the Author: ETC Group (formerly RAFI) is an action group on erosion, tech- nology and concentration. Publications, including the full text, recommendations and annexes of Down on the Farm: The Impact of Nano-scale Technologies on Food and Agriculture, can be downloaded free of charge from the website, http:/www.etcgroup.org, and are available in hardcopy from: ETC Group, 431 Gilmour Street, Second Floor, Ottawa, ON, Canada K2P ORS, telephone +1 (613) 241 2267, fax +1 (613) 241 2506, email etc@etcgroup.org. Editor's Note: Due to a lack of space, we have not published the relevant and extensive footnotes. Instead, we encourage readers to obtain a copy of the full report from http://(www.etcgroup.org and use it to generate debate within the community. = Nutricosmetics Eating is just one way to deliver active ingredients. Paris-based L'Oréal, the world's leading cosmetics firm, already markets skin care products containing nano-scale particles." (Nestlé holds a 49% stake in L'Oréal.*”) The company's "nanosomes" are tiny 24 = NEXUS nano-scale particles. www.nexusmagazine.com AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2005