The cosmetic and consumer products industry is a global multi-billion dollar industry. Thailand is ranked 4th and is considered a major player in the region given the fact that is also considered a medical hub. The important aspect of this industry is the ability to store, deliver, and slow release specific flavour and fragrance ingredients that meets clients’ needs. For instance, certain flavours and fragrance can reminds us of moments in time which can be either good, bad, childhood memories, and seasons. Therefore, the effort and investment into the R&D of flavour and fragrance is a vital importance to the industry.
The application of nanotechnology is not new to the industry since the ingredients associated with flovour and fragrances are often in the nano scale. R&D to introduce new technologies in taste modulation and delivery system are being initiated worldwide including Thailand such as research projects at the NanoCosme Lab at NANOTEC.
“We humans have about 300 smell receptors in our nose and the nose is the most important of the 5 senses in human for the cosmetic and consumer product industry. It is difficult to understand how the nose works so we have qualified perfumers and techno chefs to help us understand consumers’ insights and brand needs. These experts are highly paid and there are very few of these experts in the world” said Dr. Daniel Benczedi, Vice President Materials Science Corporate R&D Division at Firmenich (Geneva) at a workshop on “Flavour and Fragrance Delivery Technology for Cosmetic and Consumer Products” held on April 19 at Siam City Hotel in Bangkok. Dr. Benczedi focused his talk on the scientific research activities undertaken at the Materials Science Program at Firmenich.
The workshop was organized by NSTDA and NANOTEC. Other speakers included Assoc. Prof. Ubonthip Nimmannit (NanoCosme Lab, NANOTEC) who gave a talk on “Formulation for Cosmetic and Consumer Products” and Dr. Apirada Sucontphunt (NanoCosme Lab, NANOTEC) on “Overview of essential oils for Aromatherapy”. In addition to the lecture session, the workshop provided an opportunity for participants to participate in a hands-on microemulsion lab activity. This activity demonstrates Thailand research capabilities in the area of storage, delivery, and slow release of specific flavour and fragrance ingredients using microemulsion know-how.
For information on Firmenich, please log on www.firmenich.com. For those wishing to know more about flavours and fragrance delivery, you can listen to Dr. Ubonthip radio interview session on FM 92.5 this Saturday April 23 between 15:00 – 16:00.
