Patent Picks—Natural Fragrance, Antifungal Peptides, Schizandra Acne Treatment, Uchuhuba Mattifier and More

By: Rachel Grabenhofer, Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine

Posted: February 8, 2011

Chosen biweekly by Rachel Grabenhofer, editor of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine, for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to nature-derived and nature-inspired technologies.

Gamma-undecenolactone and a method for the preparation and use thereof for cosmetics and in the form of food additives
US Patent 7884130
Publication date: Feb. 8, 2011
Assignee: V. Mane Fils

According to this patent, gamma-lactones are aromatic molecules that constitute the aroma and flavor of many natural products. The present invention relates to a new lactone, gamma-undecenolactone, to its production via biological stereoselective synthesis of each of its (R) or (S) isomers, and to its uses, in particular in the food and perfumery sector. As natural products are increasingly appreciated by the general public, industries that use aromatic or odorant compounds have concentrated their efforts on the development of natural aromatizing substances and preparations. Biotechnological processes now make it possible to synthesize natural molecules at reasonable expense, as is the case for gamma-lactones.  

Linear cationic peptides having antibacterial and/or antifungal properties
US Patent 7884070
Publication date: Feb. 8, 2011
Assignee: Diatos S.A.

The current invention describes peptides for preventing and/or treating a bacterial and/or fungal infection. These peptides can be prepared by chemical synthesis or by genetic engineering in a prokaryote cell such as a bacterium; in a eukaryote cell such as a yeast; a CHO cell; an NSO cell; in a transgenic animal, e.g., in the milk of a transgenic rabbit, goat or ewe or the like; or in a transgenic plant such as, for example, tobacco plants.