Research conducted by the members of the Chair focuses on both scientific and application aspects. The faculty focus on the development of various technologies for the extraction of plant raw materials, as well as assessment of the content and properties of biologically active compounds in the obtained extracts. Analyses of the cytotoxicity of extracts and isolated substances are carried out on selected cell lines. Research is also conducted to assess changes in gene expression in cells treated with the obtained extracts.
The Chair faculty also develop recipes and technologies for the production of prototype cosmetics containing the obtained active substances or extracts, and determine the substances’ impact on the safety of cosmetics. Physicochemical and biochemical assessment of the obtained cosmetic preparations is also conducted, as well as studies of transepidermal transport of bioactive substances contained in model formulations.
Contact: zniziol@wsiz.edu.pl
Scientific and research projects financed from external sources:
Subject: Characterizing antioxidant and chemopreventive properties of Polish varietal honeys after applying gastrointestinal digestion and using absorption models 2021/43/I/NZ9/01950
Project carried out in consortium with the Cracow University of Economics, UITM and Technische Universität Berlin.
The main objective of the study is to characterize the biological activity, including antioxidant properties and chemopreventive properties of selected Polish varietal honeys, taking into account changes in the structure of compounds caused by processing processes, as well as digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
Implementation period: 1.09.2023 – 31.08.2026
Financing: NCN – OPUS program Weave
Subject: Development of innovative natural cosmetics based on a synbiotic complex obtained in the fermentation process using the tea kombucha fungus.
Project leader: associate professor Zofia Nizioł-Łukaszewska PhD, DSc., Assoc. Prof. zniziol@wsiz.edu.pl
The purpose of the project is to develop an innovative series of natural cosmetics based on a synbiotic complex obtained in the fermentation process with the use of the tea kombucha fungus. The proposed line of cosmetics includes three multifunctional products: creamy face cleansing foam, soothing tonic mist and moisturizing probiotic essence.
Implementation period: 04.2022–09.2022
Financing: Podkarpackie Centrum Innowacji (PCI)
Subject: An innovative series of liquid crystal emulsions containing micellar dogwood extract.
Project Manager: Zofia Nizioł-Łukaszewska,PhD, DSc., Assoc. Prof. zniziol@wsiz.edu.pl
The project concerns the development of recipes and technology for the production of multifunctional lines of natural cosmetics containing micellar extract of dogwood, kept in the concept of the zero-waste trend. Research will include obtaining dogwood extracts and analyzing their biochemical properties, as well as developing the composition and technology for cosmetics, including testing under real conditions. The result of the research will be ready-to-use technology for producing the extract and the entire line of natural cosmetics.
Implementation period: 04.2021 – 12.2021
Financing: Podkarpackie Centrum Innowacji (PCI)
Subject: An innovative series of organic, detoxifying liquid crystal emulsions with the addition of Moringa tree macerate (Moringa oleifera).
The project concerns the performance of a research service which consists in developing an innovative series of organic, detoxifying liquid crystal emulsions with the addition of Moringa tree macerate (Moringa oleifera). As part of the project, recipes and technologies for the production of macerates from this tree will be developed with the use of hydrophilic and hydrophobic extractants. These macerates will be subjected to various physical and biochemical analyzes and will be applied in the recipes of 5 cosmetics: day cream, night cream, face serum, face mousse and eye cream. The developed emulsions are characterized by an innovative physicochemical form – the structure of a lyotropic liquid crystal, which makes them highly biocompatible.
Implementation period: 12.2020 -11.2021
Financing: PARP
Subject: Implementation of polyvinylpyrrolidone in the structures of washing cosmetics based on potassium soaps in order to produce hypoallergenic and safe to use specialized washing preparations.
The project concerns the performance of a research service consisting in the development of recipes and manufacturing technology, as well as the production of prototypes of hypoallergenic specialist cosmetic preparations, in which the innovative technology of introducing polyvinylpyrrolidone into micellar structures was used. It is planned to develop and produce five preparations with an advanced formula. The process of producing cosmetics will be carried out according to a newly developed method, during which the appropriate type of polyvinylpyrrolidone introduced into micellar structures will increase the size of micellar aggregates, and thus actively reduce the concentration of free surfactant monomers that negatively affect the skin.
Implementation period: 01.2021 -11.2021
Financing: PARP
Research financed from the means of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education:
Subject: New raw materials supporting skin microbiome and alternative preservatives with a high degree of safety for the skin.
Project manager: Tomasz Bujak M.Sc.
The research conducted as part of the project will focus on the assessment of the impact of cosmetic raw materials (e.g. raw materials obtained from nettle seeds, chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion) on human skin microorganisms, both pathogenic (e.g. Propionibacterium acnes) and the so-called „beneficial” bacteria that build the skin microbiome (eg. Bifidobacterium).
Raw materials with the most preferable properties will be applied in cosmetic products formulations (emulsions, gels, liquids) and assessed of maintaining the desired properties in the finished cosmetic product.
The second direction of the works carried out during the project will be analyzes aimed at searching for new, innovative, alternative preservatives of plant origin. The research will cover extracts and other plant preparations and their ferments.
Implementation period: 2022-2024
Subject: Innovative raw materials for application in the medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Project Manager: Zofia Nizioł-Łukaszewska, PhD, DSc., Assoc. Prof. zniziol@wsiz.edu.pl
The main aim of the project is to assess in detail the mechanisms of action of the tested substances, including their antioxidant, chelating and anti-inflammatory properties. Raw materials with the most desirable properties will be applied in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and medical preparations. The project involves the implementation of experimental research in the form of a series of laboratory experiments, followed by a detailed description of their results. The research aims to determine the mechanism of action of selected substances in cell-free and cellular systems. A range of raw materials will be analysed which may have practical application in the medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Implementation period: 2019 – 2022
Subject: New hydrogel biomaterials for dermatology and cosmetology – synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation.
Project Manager: Martyna Zagórska-Dziok, M.Sc. mzagorska@wsiz.edu.pl
The main goal of the research is to obtain new hydrogels for dermatological and cosmetological applications. These biomaterials can be used to treat hard-to-heal wounds, delay the aging process of the skin and support its repair processes after dermatological and cosmetological treatments. For this purpose, attempts are being made to develop hydrogels loaded with compounds of plant origin, i.e. cannabidiol and terpineol, as well as willow and hemp extracts.
Implementation period: 2019-2022
