Upcycled blood for hair care: Amino Lab develops hair loss treatment from pig plasma

23 Aug 2023 --- Korea’s Amino Lab has unveiled a functional shampoo created with technology that upcycles livestock blood into functional substances that relieve hair loss symptoms. The novel process, which enzymatically decomposes pig plasma, is registered as the world’s first cosmetic raw material in International Cosmetics Ingredient Dictionary.

The shampoo, branded A% Percent Plasma Intensive Pro Shampoo, contains high plasma-derived amino acids (2.2%) along with ingredients that relieve hair loss symptoms – such as salicylic acid, dexpanthenol and niacinamide – as well as ten kinds of herbal extracts, helping healthy and strong hair care.

“We have 13 patents and received SKW 10 billion [US$7.5 billion] won from large investment institutions in recognition of their unique technology such as new technology (NET) certification and green technology certification,” comments a company spokesperson.

The self-marketed eco-friendly company was selected by Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Start-ups as one of 30 companies to participate in this year’s Social Economy Enterprise Growth Support Project.

Livestock byproducts into clean ingredients
Processes that transform biological byproducts from the livestock industry into value-added sustainable beauty products have been gathering pace as brands seek to circularize supply chains. Technological Institute of Plastics, for instance, recently announced a €5.5 million EU project converting slaughterhouse waste into personal care packaging.

The plasma extract developed by Amino Lab’s patented method consists of 20 amino acids and peptides, which makes the hair softer while providing balanced oil and moisture, as well as supplying nutrition to the sensitive scalp and tired hair.

A% Plasma Intensive Shampoo by Amino Lab (Image credit: Amino Lab).The product uses naturally-derived ingredients without adding parabens, synthetic dyes, silicone or sulfate-based surfactants.

“A% Plasma Intensive Pro Shampoo is attracting great attention from consumers who are fed up with existing hair loss functional shampoo products,” states the company. 

“At the request of many users who have experienced the A% Plasma Intensive Shampoo product, which was first released in 2021, A% Plasma Intensive Pro Bar will also be released in September using the same raw material.”

Aside from creating new advanced bioactive materials for hair care, Amino Lab’s process of enzymatically decomposing the blood of livestock is being used to innovate immune-enhancing feed additives and plant nutrients, which the company is looking to sell domestically and abroad.

Natural solutions to hair loss have been proliferating in R&D advances this year, most notably including a peel extract from the mangosteen fruit (Garcinia mangostana) and ingestible billy goat weed supplements, featured in recent coverage by Personal Care Insights.

Upcycled beauty
Upcycling biological waste materials sourced from side streams of various processing industries has been attracting significant commercial interest for its ability to create value-added ingredients in line with the circular economy.

Earlier this month, deodorant brand Wild and London-based design and innovation firm Morrama created a plastic-free and compostable refillable shower gel bottle made from excess potato chip. Once the refill is empty, it can be put in a compost pile or general waste, where it will biodegrade “faster than a banana peel,” which is two years on average.

Upcycled natural fruit powders – as byproducts of the fruit processing industry – are being explored as a viable alternative to synthetic and potentially polluting or harmful pigment ingredients for cosmetics. In the case of functional ingredients, personal care ingredients supplier Active Concepts unveiled a skin care ingredient crafted using rich pomegranate polyphenols extracted from discarded fruit peels.

Earlier this year, researchers in Italy presented Royal Gala apple pomace as a circular alternative to microplastic-based thickening agents used in cosmetics or nutraceuticals.

Next to fruit waste, spent coffee grounds are fast becoming a champion in the space as its byproducts can be used in an array of beauty products with photo-protecting, anti-aging and lipolytic action properties, according to another study.

In other developments, a study recently investigated the properties of BASF’s Kerasylium ingredient, which is the result of upcycling milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed cake, a byproduct of milk thistle oil production.

By Benjamin Ferrer