Snow algae grows in mountain areas in spring time in a green form and then turns red when there is too much UV-irradiation and a lack of nutrients on the glaciers.
The Buchs-headquartered company has harnessed this phenomenon and plans to launch its novel active at in-cosmetics in Hamburg on April 1-3, 2014.
Zülli explains that Mibelle Biochemistry has developed a biotechnological process to grow this algae in glass tube reactors, with the cells then harvested and extracted for cosmetic use.
This has uncovered a new anti-ageing activity with this snow algae extract based on a caloric restriction mimetic anti-ageing activity, which has been shown to significantly extend the life span of organisms.
“We could show that our snow algae extract can stimulate the longevity gene Klotho and the energy sensor protein AMPK and therefore induce a caloric restriction mimetic effect in skin cells,” says Zülli. “That means we get anti-aging effects without diet and exercise.”