Cobiopol Polynesian marine biodiversity as a source of natural preservatives for cosmetics and foodstuffs

At a time when European regulations are about to prohibit the most common chemical ingredients used as preservatives in the cosmetics and food industries (parabens, butylene glycol, etc.), the race to discover natural compounds is accelerating. The new compounds, which will be used as organic preservatives, should prevent the proliferation of microorganisms - bacteria, yeasts and moulds - and protect against oxidative breakdown, as occurs for instance in fats.
French Polynesia's extensive territory, with a maritime surface area as large as Europe and a diverse range of habitats (mountainous islands, atolls, lagoons, sloping reefs, etc.), offers a great variety of ecological niches for living organisms.

Using results from previous research projects as a basis and focusing on the value of certain compounds originating from the terrestrial and marine biodiversity of Polynesia, the COBIOPOL project partners aim to advance research and development relating to antimicrobial and antioxidant properties with a view to identifying new, naturally sourced ways of preserving cosmetics and food products.

Drawing on Polynesia's marine and terrestrial natural resources, a screening study of compounds with organic preservative potential will offer a biological alternative to the use of chemical compounds, which are in the process of being banned and which have not yet been replaced, and will thus be of considerable economic interest.
The COBIOPOL project will screen compounds designed to combat the proliferation of bacteria and oxidation while ensuring the non-toxicity of active ingredients throughout the production cycle.

The project will ensure that sufficient quantities of quality ingredients can be produced in compliance with regulations governing the stability and traceability of cosmetics and/or food products.

The COBIOPOL project is supported by Grappe Tahiti Fa'ahotu and is recognised jointly by the Pôle Mer Bretagne and Pôle Mer PACA.