From Waste to Award-Winning, Rambutan Rind has Proved Its Mettle in the Cosmeceutical Scene. The Team Behind this Innovation Shares Its Journey from Research to Commercialisation and Beyond
One of SIRIM’s innovations, a natural bioactive dermatocide anti-fungal cream formulated with rambutan rind extract, won the Gold Medal and Best Invention Award at the International Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2019. This cream is the first of its kind to use natural resources as active ingredients.
After carrying out aqueous and solvent extractions using various herbal waste materials, the team at SIRIM came across several extracts with very good antioxidant properties and anti-fungal activity. One of them was rambutan rind. “We decided to move forward with the rambutan rind as it is easily available locally,” explained Thavamanithevi Subramaniam, a Senior Researcher at the Cosmetics and Natural Products Section of SIRIM’s Industrial Biotechnology Research Centre, who led the team working on this. “A bonus is that the extract is derived from fruit waste!”
Buoyed by positive results, the team decided to proceed with the formulation of the anti-fungal cream in-house, utilising SIRIM’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified facilities. “All the tests were conducted according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines and ISO 17025,” chimed in Senior Researcher and fellow teammate Dr Theanmalar Masilamani.
To date, the product is registered with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) and Cosmetic Notification (NOT). It was patented in 2017 and has since been commercialised to a company, which is currently conducting external market validation studies.
Fruitful Benefits
Right from the start, the rambutan rind extract has shown itself to be chock full of beneficial properties, with preliminary in-house efficacy studies obtaining good feedback, particularly for athlete’s foot, scaly and infected nails and insect bites. A distinct feature of the product is its multi-spectrum activity against skin fungal and yeast (Candida albicans) infections. This means that just this one extract can target various dermatophytes that cause skin issues.
According to Dr Theanmalar, “Most commercial products are steroid compounds that only work on certain fungi. This has a broader range with synergistic effects and is non-toxic. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is good for itchiness and insect bites.”
“The product has also been tried for eczema and seems to work well, reducing redness and dryness,” added Adida Zuraida Mohamad, a Microbiologist at SIRIM’s Industrial Biotechnology Centre.
As the extract is derived from a natural resource, the product is safe, even for children to use. “In fact, parents like to use this for their young children who have eczema as, unlike most eczema products, it doesn’t cause irritation to their loved ones’ skin,” she elaborated.
The anti-fungal cream has been well-received since being introduced. “When we were conducting in-house efficacy studies, many of our colleagues claimed that this product worked well for them and kept coming back for more,” shared Thavamanithevi. “Since then, the company that has taken up the product has also reported that they get repeat buyers.”
Inspired by the positive response garnered and the awards received, SIRIM is geared up to upgrade the product and widen its reach further. Among others, the agency has already applied to obtain a MAL ‘Traditional Medicine’ registration number from NPRA, which will enable the product to be placed in clinics as well.
On Par with the World
Thavamanithevi, Dr Theanmalar and Adida agree that Malaysia’s capabilities are comparable with the rest of the world. “SIRIM was the first to delve into the potential of rambutan rind in 2006 when we embarked on anti-diabetic studies. Based on our patent for that, countries like Australia, Canada and Vietnam have since been exploring the use of rambutan rind for cosmetic products,” divulged Dr Theanmalar.
Consequently, there is a vast potential for further growth in this area. “Malaysian research institutions and universities have vast capabilities in research and development. We have an abundance of natural resources and should be able to produce outstanding scientific output with good collaboration with our fellow researchers. There is genuine cooperation among researchers and private companies to provide high-value products,” said Thavamanithevi.
SIRIM’s anti-fungal cream is non-toxic and free from chemical pollutants
Natural Goodness (Benefits of anti-fungal cream)
The anti-fungal cream:
has antioxidant, multi-spectrum anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties with negligible side effects or toxicity
is non-toxic, safe and non-irritant
can be used to moisturise, increase smoothness, and reduce itchiness and redness of skin
is formulated with high-antioxidant natural plant extract to nourish and strengthen nails
