Phyco-cosmecéutica: Desarrollo de prototipos de productos cosméticos y bebidas funcionales a base de microalgas y extractos de hojas de fresa.

Agroindustrial waste (by-products, residues, or effluents generated during the processing of agricultural raw materials) represents a crucial opportunity for the sustainability and profitability of the sector, as it contains a large amount of valuable compounds. The transformation of these residues allows for the production of a wide range of high value-added products, which in turn drives new markets and income sources. In the field of Bioactive Compounds and Nutraceuticals, antioxidants (polyphenols), dietary fibers, vitamins, and pigments can be extracted from peels, seeds, leaves, and pulps to be used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Recent studies carried out by researchers from the Tecnológico have identified, in the phytochemical profiles of strawberry leaves grown in Costa Rica and treated with elicitors such as microalgae, important bioactive compounds with medicinal properties. Objective: Therefore, this proposal aims to develop a prototype of a cosmetic product and a functional beverage by harnessing the active principles of microalgae and strawberry leaves. Problem: The problem addressed by this project is the utilization of strawberry leaf extracts as agro-industrial waste and the use of microalgae, previously developed by the research group, for the creation of other value-added products (facial serum and cold beverage) enriched with bioactive compounds and scientific support. Methodology: Prototypes with commercial potential will be developed, enriched with active agents from strawberry leaf and microalgae extracts (facial gel and cold beverage). Expected results: A scientific article accepted or published in a journal or conference indexed in Web of Science or Scopus, and an undisclosed information product (industrial and commercial secret).

Desarrollar un prototipo de producto cosmético y bebida funcional aprovechando los principios activos de las microalgas y de las hojas de fresa.

Biotecnología Vegetal, Ambiental y Bioprocesos.