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The EPS are macromolecules ofcarbohydrates, that often are together with proteines, and are synthetized by bacterial enzymes and secreted and acummulated out of the cell giving to the culture a mucilaginous aspect.
The main carbohydrates are the following monosaccharides:
- Rhamnose: 28-45%
- Glucosamine: 12-20%
- Glucose: 20-30%
- Galactose: 15-25%
Inkemia obtain the EPS from halophile bacteria, bacteria that grow in very high salt concentrations like salt mines. Inkemia has optimized the purification, the culture and the production processes at lab scale, and we are prepared for its production at industrial scale through simple processes like ultrafiltration and lyophilization.
The EPS are shown like a podwer of different colors, usually white, and water soluble.
Inkemia have a collection of almost 100 different compounds, most of them identified or being identified regarding its composition and properties. Some EPS have shown to have properties that make them useful as active ingredients in cosmetics or for the pharmacological treatment of some diseases.
They can be used, as well, as nutraceuticals (food supplement of a concentrated biactive sustance that is supposed to have a benefitial effect on the human health).
Among the EPS of Inkemia fully developed and available for its immediate licensing, we have the compounds C2 and C3.
C2: it has a powerful antioxidant activity, demonstrated according to FDA guidelines, through a double mechanism of action. The studies, carried out in human keratinocytes, have shown that C2 has a GSH/GSSG ratio 15 times bigger than control at 1 µg/ml concentration.
At the same time C2 stimulates the endogen synthesis of keratin (+40% vs. control in keratinocyte cells). As a result, hair appearance (health, strength and resistance) was improved through an unique mechanism of action. There is no other product in the market that stimulates the endogenous synthesis of keratin.
Both applications, its potent antioxidant activity and the stimulation of the endogenous keratin synthesis, make of C2 a very good choice for the hair care cosmetic formulations.
C3:it hasa good antioxidant activity and has shown an excellent protection against the DNA damage produced by UV radiation (60% less thymine dimmers compared with control).
Both applications, its potent antioxidant activity and the protection against the DNA damage produced by UV radiation, make of C3 an excellent active ingredient for the skin care and sun care cosmetic formulations.
There are other EPS still in development like:
- A36: in in vitro studies it has shown to increase the collagen synthesis and to have a protective effect against the oxidation induced by UV radiation. We are currently carrying out additional efficacy studies in other applications as well as in vitro safety studies.
- A05, A16 and A53: in studies in zebra fish embryos they have shown to have a whitening effect, by inhibiting the melatonine production, with a good safety profile. We are doing additional tests.
- C02: in studies, as well in zebra fish embryos, it has shown to have neuroactive effects without toxicity signs. We are doing additional tests.
- A16 and C05: they show a protective effect against the oxidation induced by UV radiation. We are currently doing additional efficacy studies in other applications as well as in vitro safety studies.
- A50 and A53: they have shown to increase the collagen synthesis. It is forecasted to carry out additional efficacy studies in other applications as well as in vitro safety studies.
Inkemia also offer collaboration models, through Codevelopment Agreements, with interested companies. We put at the disposal of these companies the opportunity to work with our collection of EPS compounds to carry out studies in the applications required by the customer.
In case of success, if there is shown that some or several EPS have positive results, have a good safety profile and are subject of a patent, the Intelectual Property could belong to the customer.