Market demand is increasing for cosmetics that are produced with natural enzymes based conversions rather than chemical reactions. European research has launched a major initiative that is sifting through the genomes of fungi and bacteria and directed evolved enzymatic variants for appropriate biocatalysts.
As well as being from natural sources, optimised biocatalysts have the edge over their chemical counterparts in use industrially at the moment avoiding use of potentially hazardous catalysts and release of unwanted residues or by-products. Moreover, enzymes allow for fewer steps in the production of components as well as lower-temperatures (50-60°C) compared to those of chemical processes (up to 160°C).
Further details: Mining enzymes for green cosmetics