A method of producing zooplankton biomass rich in a target compound, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing one or more species of microalgae and/or cyanobacteria; (b) optionally stimulating the microalgae and/or cyanobacteria; (c) contacting the microalgae and/or cyanobacteria with one or more species of zooplankton which feed thereon; and (d) collecting a portion of the zooplankton; wherein waste from the zooplankton is fed back to the microalgae and/or cyanobacteria

A method of producing zooplankton biomass rich in a target compound, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing one or more species of microalgae and/or cyanobacteria; (b) optionally stimulating the microalgae and/or cyanobacteria; (c) contacting the microalgae and/or cyanobacteria with one or more species of zooplankton which feed thereon; and (d) collecting a portion of the zooplankton; wherein waste from the zooplankton is fed back to the microalgae and/or cyanobacteria

An improved pasteurisation protocol for pasteurising microbial cells is disclosed. The protocol has three stages, a first heating stage, a second plateau stage at which the cells are held at a (maximum and) constant temperature, and a third cooling stage. Both the heating and the cooling stages are rapid, with the temperature of the cells passing through 40 to 80 C. in no more than 30 minutes in the heating stage. The heating rate is at least 0.5 C./minute and during cooling is at least 0.5 C./minute. The plateau maximum temperature is from 70 to 85 C. By plotting the pasteurisation protocol on a time (t, minutes) versus temperature (T, C.) graph, one obtains a trapezium having an area less than 13,000 C. minute. Not only does this result in a smaller energy input (and so a reduction in costs), but a better quality (and less oxidised) oil results having a peroxide value (POV) of less than 1.5 and an anisidine value (AnV) of less than 1.0.

Process with the aim of preventing or slowing the appearance of unattractive signs, generated by the pollutants present in the atmosphere, on the skin, the scalp, the hair or the mucous membranes, or indeed of eliminating them, including a step of application of a cosmetic formulation for topical use, including at least one cosmetically acceptable excipient and an effective amount of at least one glycolic extract (GE) of a unialgal biomass of small multicellular macroalgae originating from the Florideophyceae class. The extract, for the use thereof in a therapeutic method for treating signs of irritation of the skin, the scalp or the mucous membranes, manifesting as redness, sensations of stinging and/or itching, signs of deterioration of the hair, manifesting as an increase in the porosity thereof, the dulling thereof, and/or the weakening thereof with regard to mechanical stresses.

Compositions for reducing skin aging are disclosed herein. The compositions can be topically applied to a skin region to reduce or prevent skin wrinkles, fine lines, thinning skin, sagging skin, skin dryness, and skin itchiness.

The object of the present invention is the cosmetic use via an oral route of a combination of actives comprising at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid and vitamin D, for improving the hair quality. This combination of actives may further comprise, as an additional active, vitamin E, vitamin C, a carotenoid, zinc gluconate or combinations thereof. The combination of actives is preferably applied in a cosmetic composition intended for oral administration, such as a food supplement.

Provided are compositions, comprising a neolignan, ectoin, and a molecule of Formula I:

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wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, or isopropyl; wherein X is S or O. In some cases, the molecule of Formula I is ergothioneine (EGT). In some cases, the at least one neolignan is honokiol or a derivative thereof. Honokiol may be provided in the form of magnolia bark extract. Methods of making and using these compositions are also provided.

Natural haircare ingredient composition and haircare compositions containing such natural haircare ingredient compositions are provided. In one novel aspect, the natural hair ingredient composition is provided which comprises candida Krusei mediated bio-modification of marine organism and plants including bio-modified natural marine surfactants, three-dimensional molecular framework, and natural mineral salts. In one embodiment, the natural surfactants are produced from natural marine organisms such as brown algae, sea kelp, sponge, brown seaweeds, and red seaweeds by candida Krusei mediated bio-modification. In another novel aspect, a haircare composition comprises about 10% of the natural haircare ingredient composition, by weight of the haircare composition. In one novel aspect, Candida Krusei bio-modification process is used. Natural polymeric compounds in the marine plants are modified during the process resulting in three-dimensional molecular framework.

The present invention relates to a functional composition for surface modification. The composition for surface modification, according to the present invention, comprises functional components having functional groups, which can be covalently bound to cysteine residues in proteins of hair, skin, fingernails or toenails, hide, or fiber, to form covalent bonds without damaging the hair, skin, fingernails or toenails, hide, or fiber, thereby remarkably improving the effects of the functional components, thus providing a desired surface modification effect semi-permanently.

A process for producing a cosmetic, a pharmaceutical or a nutraceutical composition, the process including cultivating Thoracosphaera heimii microalgae cells, recovering and drying the Thoracosphaera heimii calcispheres and mixing them with at least one cosmetically, pharmaceutically or nutraceutically acceptable ingredient. Also, the use of Thoracosphaera heimii, microalgae as a cosmetically, pharmaceutically or nutraceutically acceptable ingredient. Lastly, a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition including spherical Thoracosphaera heimii calcispheres of less than 15 m average diameter and of sphere wall thickness of less than 1 m, in association with at least one cosmetically, pharmaceutically or nutraceutically acceptable ingredient.