Scientists develop oats-based technology for beauty products

Avenanthramide process technology, a new technology that uses oats for manufacturing ingredients for skin care, cosmetics, and personal care and health products, has been developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

Edmonton-based growth-stage biotechnology firm Ceapro, which put in practice the new technology, has signed a sole licensing agreement with the Government of Canada.

The company said that the new avenanthramide process technology will help increase multiple times the output of commercialised bio-active compounds called avenanthramides.

Avenanthramides are naturally occurring polyphenols with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties that are found in oats in small quantities.

Said to be the only global commercial developer of this technology, Ceapro uses unique expertise in extracting and purifying these compounds.

Ceapro acting CEO Gilles Gagnon said that avenanthramides and the new technology will allow the firm develop large quantities of new products with potential applications in functional food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical areas, representing very large potential markets.

"This licensing agreement with the Canadian Government is of the utmost strategic and timely importance for Ceapro and our flaghip product, which will be manufactured in our upcoming state of the art facility as announced recently," Gagnon added.

Avenanthramides, discovered and named by the AAFC scientist Dr. F. William Collins, technology claims to offer cost efficiency along with opening up of a new market for Canadian oat farmers, the company said.