In a new approach for tapping biomass as a sustainable raw
material, scientists are reporting use of a Nobel-Prize-winning technology to
transform plant “essential oils” — substances with the characteristic fragrance
of the plant — into high-value ingredients for sunscreens, perfumes and other
personal care products. The report on the approach, which could open up new
economic opportunities for tropical countries that grow such plants, appears in
the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Deryn Fogg, Eduardo dos Santos and colleagues explain that
breaking down plant material into ingredients for making commercial products is
getting much attention as a sustainable substitute for raw materials now
obtained from petroleum.