The Swiss Anti-Aging Apple That Dominates Cosmetics
Cosmetics have come full circle, from ancient botanical mixtures to modern plant-based formulas. The products we use today often contain the same ingredients as those of yesteryear. However, advancements in biotechnology have changed how we source them. Swiss manufacturer Mibelle Biochemistry has cultivated 100% natural apple cells in its labs for over a decade. In August 2023, the EFSA approved these cells for use in nutritional supplements.
Uttwiler Spätlauber Apples: an Anti-Aging Secret
In the far northeast of Switzerland, a rare apple variety called Uttwiller Spätlauber grows among the rolling vineyards. This crisp, sour fruit is native to the area with cold and snowy winters. While most apples would shrivel and shrink, this Swiss variety can last for months in storage without a wrinkle in sight. Researchers at Mibelle Biochemistry found this species to contain anti-aging compounds that promote smoother skin.
Collecting Stem Cells From Swiss Apples
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to form any type of organic tissue. All living things start as a collection of stem cells and eventually develop into fully-formed organisms. In the early 2000s, researchers found that using the stem cells of Uttwiller Spätlauber apples in cosmetics can help us unlock the fruit’s anti-aging properties.
While we could harvest stem cells from the plants themselves, it would take far too many apples to meet the demands of the natural beauty industry. In 2008, Mibelle Biochemistry released a new technology called PhytoCellTec to solve this dilemma.
Using PhytoCellTec, Mibelle can cultivate hundreds of thousands of Uttwiller Spätlauber cells using only a tiny piece of apple. The fruit is placed on a solid growing medium in a sterile container so no bacteria or fungi can tarnish it. Over time, the fruit will develop a callus – a group of undifferentiated cells that help repair the tissue where it was injured.
Scientists can extract stem cells from the callus, placing them in a sweet mixture of sugar, plant hormones, vitamins, and minerals to keep them alive. These cells divide rapidly and grow into the skincare ingredient Mibelle calls PhytoCellTec Md Nu.
Cultivating Plant Cells in a Lab is More Sustainable
While many natural beauty fans may be skeptical of using something from a lab, growing plant cells this way is much better for the planet. It means we don’t have to cut down plants, disturb natural habitats, or make space to farm them en masse. In 2012, the United Nations recognized PhytoCellTec as an environmental breakthrough.
This technology allows cosmetics companies to access the powerful anti-aging ingredient from Uttwiller Spätlauber without disrupting the plant’s dwindling population. This rare species has been on ProSpecieRara’s endangered list for decades. With numbers dropping below a dozen, preserving these trees is imperative.
Mibelle Biochemistry has since used PhytoCellTec to cultivate cells from other rare plants such as Alpine roses and Gamay grapes.
Other Anti-Aging Ingredients Found in Nature
Natural ingredients have many functions in cosmetics, one of the most prominent being anti-aging. Mibelle’s apple cells are not the only skin-smoothing star in beauty. Cosmetic scientists have also started extracting stem cells from mung beans, which may help repair UV damage and promote plumper skin.
Plant extracts that contain polyphenols are also popular ingredients in skincare. Pomegranate seed oil contains vitamin C and Omega-5 fatty acids that promote collagen retention in the skin. Green tea extract is another powerful skincare ingredient that promotes cell regeneration and repair.
Advanced Biotech is a trusted supplier of premium plant compounds to the cosmetics industry. Browse our complete range of natural and organic ingredients or contact us for more information.